- Easily upset, rapid change in emotional state.
- Weight changes; drastic loss or gain.
- Smell of alcohol on breath or of marijuana on clothing.
- Slurred speech or changes in speech pattern.
- More frequent physical injuries, bruises, scrapes, or cuts.
- Burn marks on clothes, car interior, or on hands.
- Changes in hygiene, less care taken, wears same clothes over and over.
- Withdrawal from peers and family.
- Very defensive especially concerning use of drugs and/or alcohol.
- Changes in sexual behavior.
- Blatant defiant, argumentative, and even hostile to family members.
- Alcohol hangovers (throwing up, increased anxiety, headaches, shakes).
- Reddened eyes and frequent use of eye drops, deep persistent cough, raspy throat.
- Apathy, lethargy, low motivation, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
- Undisciplined; doesn't get things done on time or as agreed.
- Blackouts; periods of memory loss.
- Sometimes inappropriately happy; sometimes inexplicably depressed.
- Nervous, agitated, has trouble sitting still.
- Less hopeful and more cynical about life.
- Erratic financial habits; spending more, needing more.
- Paraphernalia kept; rolling papers, pipes, roach clips, eye drops, etc.
- Possession of pharmaceutical drugs like Ritalin or over-the-counter drugs such as cough medicine, cold medicine, motion sickness pills, etc. without any medical reason.
- Sudden change in slang; increased use of profanity and "druggie" behaviour.
- Suicide attempts or talk of suicide.
- Visits to emergency room or psychiatric hospital due to overdoses or mental instability.
