Signs and Symptoms

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How Can You Tell If Someone You Care About Is Using?

Changes in Physical Appearance - Red eyes and frequent use of eye drops - Pale face, circles under the eyes - Runny nose, congestion, coughing
Changes in Eating and Sleeping Habits - Difficulty falling asleep - Excessive sleeping - Significant weight loss or gain
	*Changes in Behavior and Personality* - Hostility, defiance of rules - Depression, "I don't care" attitude - Blaming, lying making excuses
	Changes in Friends and Interests - Friends rarely introduced or brought home - More time spent in room or away from home - Secrecy about actions and possessions
Changes in School or Job Performance - Frequent tardiness and absenteeism - Falling asleep in class - Skipping/cutting classes
		*Physical Evidence of Drug or Alcohol Use* - Frequent use of mouthwash, breath sprays - Visine or other eye drops - Rolling papers, pipes - Baggies containting dried leaves, seeds, white substances, pills - Positive attitudes towards drugs and alcohol - Pro-drug messages on posters, clothing - Strong defense of the occasional use of drugs by peers - Things adults hassle kids.
Three Most Commonly Abused Drugs Among Teens
Marijuana Today's marijuana is 10-20 times more potent than used in the sixties. The active ingredient (THC) accumulates in the fatty cells in the body. It takes 3-6 weeks for the body to get rid of all the chemicals in just one marijuana joint. Those who smoke more continue to build up these chemicals. Long-term use adversely affects the lungs, brain, heart, reproductive systems, and the body's immune system response to infections and disease. The younger the user the more damaging the effects. * It is more common for users to have short-term memory loss, loss of motivation, and lack of initiative.	Alcohol Like cocaine or marijuana, alcohol is a drug. It alters moods and causes other changes. Addiction is more likely if teenagers start use prior to 8 years of age. Drinking is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. (after heart disease and cancer). Alcohol is responsible for over half of the deaths due to fire, drowning, injuries, traffic fatalities, and murders in the U.S. Long-term use of alcohol can result in loss of memory, high blood pressure, enlarged heart, liver ailments, impotency and ulcers and can be a major contributor to other serious conditions.	Crank (Methamphetamine) Today's most powerful drug of choice. This is a drug that speeds up the nervous system. It is common for frequent users to have short-term memory loss, paranoia, dramatic mood swings. Ingredients can be poisonous. This drug can be made at home by using different compunds and chemicals. Crank can harm any user physically and mentally. This Drug can Kill! The effects may be restlessness, overly excited, unusually talkative, moody, aggressive, or panicky. Sleeplessness or sleep problems. *Weight loss.

Lifeways Info:
Phone: (605) 716-6555
Email: lifeways@midconetwork.com
Address: 1010 9th Street, Suite 2
Rapid City, SD 57701
Fax: (605) 716-6557

Lightbulb image provided by <A HREF="http://www.keithv.com=">Keith Vertanen</A>

Changes in Physical Appearance - Red eyes and frequent use of eye drops - Pale face, circles under the eyes - Runny nose, congestion, coughing
Changes in Eating and Sleeping Habits - Difficulty falling asleep - Excessive sleeping - Significant weight loss or gain
	*Changes in Behavior and Personality* - Hostility, defiance of rules - Depression, "I don't care" attitude - Blaming, lying making excuses
	Changes in Friends and Interests - Friends rarely introduced or brought home - More time spent in room or away from home - Secrecy about actions and possessions
Changes in School or Job Performance - Frequent tardiness and absenteeism - Falling asleep in class - Skipping/cutting classes
		*Physical Evidence of Drug or Alcohol Use* - Frequent use of mouthwash, breath sprays - Visine or other eye drops - Rolling papers, pipes - Baggies containting dried leaves, seeds, white substances, pills - Positive attitudes towards drugs and alcohol - Pro-drug messages on posters, clothing - Strong defense of the occasional use of drugs by peers - Things adults hassle kids.
Three Most Commonly Abused Drugs Among Teens
Marijuana Today's marijuana is 10-20 times more potent than used in the sixties. The active ingredient (THC) accumulates in the fatty cells in the body. It takes 3-6 weeks for the body to get rid of all the chemicals in just one marijuana joint. Those who smoke more continue to build up these chemicals. Long-term use adversely affects the lungs, brain, heart, reproductive systems, and the body's immune system response to infections and disease. The younger the user the more damaging the effects. * It is more common for users to have short-term memory loss, loss of motivation, and lack of initiative.	Alcohol Like cocaine or marijuana, alcohol is a drug. It alters moods and causes other changes. Addiction is more likely if teenagers start use prior to 8 years of age. Drinking is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. (after heart disease and cancer). Alcohol is responsible for over half of the deaths due to fire, drowning, injuries, traffic fatalities, and murders in the U.S. Long-term use of alcohol can result in loss of memory, high blood pressure, enlarged heart, liver ailments, impotency and ulcers and can be a major contributor to other serious conditions.	Crank (Methamphetamine) Today's most powerful drug of choice. This is a drug that speeds up the nervous system. It is common for frequent users to have short-term memory loss, paranoia, dramatic mood swings. Ingredients can be poisonous. This drug can be made at home by using different compunds and chemicals. Crank can harm any user physically and mentally. This Drug can Kill! The effects may be restlessness, overly excited, unusually talkative, moody, aggressive, or panicky. Sleeplessness or sleep problems. *Weight loss.