1. Signs and Symptoms of (possible!) Substance Use in Students

2. Sometimes a change in attitude or behavior may cause us to question whether or not someone we care about might be using mood or mind-altering substances (marijuana, alcohol, hard drugs, etc.).
The following pages contain some of the traditional “red flag” signs and symptoms associated with substance use and abuse.

3. Physical signs Smell of alcohol, marijuana, other
Avoidance of eye contact
Glassy or bloodshot eyes
Dilated or constricted pupils
Unsteady gait or lack of coordination
Slurred, rapid, or incoherent speech
Staring or looking vacant
Drastic weight loss or gain
Sloppiness in appearance

4. Emotional signs Appearing depressed
Becoming withdrawn or unwilling to communicate
Change in friends or social activities
Unexplainable mood swings and behavior
Not seeming to be as happy as they used to
Disoriented in time
Overly tired or hyperactive
Being unusually confused or fearful
Negative, argumentative, paranoid, anxious

5. School-specific signs
Sudden drop in grades
Truancy
Loss of interest in learning
Sleeping in class
Poor work performance
Not doing homework
Defiant of authority
Poor attitude towards sports or other extracurricular activities
Reduced memory and attention span

6. Please note. This list is meant to inform and describe: not “diagnose”
Please note! This list is meant to inform and describe: not “diagnose”. The presence of one or two signs is not proof that substance use is an issue. Please contact a professional for more information and help.

7. Resources for Students and Families
District Drug Prevention Coordinator, Sam Moore ( )
Adapt, Adolescent Treatment Services ( )
Personal physician or care provider