Casey Darren Low

October 29, 2013

 Cause for Casey Low's Missionary Statement:

“What we call the beginning is often the end and to

Make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where

We start from.”

-T.S Eliot

 “Cause for Casey Low” is a Non Profit Organization in memory of my younger brother Casey Low, who passed away August 30, 2013 from a heroin overdose. Casey had just turned 18 years old; he did not want to die. Casey deserved a second chance at life, which neither I, my parents or anyone else could offer him. Casey’s death represents the end of one extraordinary human being’s life & the beginning of a movement toward CHANGE within this community in his honor. Our goal as an organization is to build awareness; help individuals in need of drug rehabilitation find the right facility for them based on their own specific needs, both physically and emotionally & offer that individual a unique effective recovery.

 Our purpose:

"Save the lives of our Monmouth County teenagers, Reunite families & Rebuild the Community effectively."

What if we started to follow a philosophy that is our own based on these three concepts alone?

1. Heroin Addiction is NOT an incurable disease.
2. Our community can & will break free from this current Heroin Epidemic.
3.  1 in 4 teens between the ages of 18 – 25 WON’T die of a Heroin Overdose on the Jersey Shore.

Where do we start?

We start by abandoning the negativity associated with heroin addiction and recovery. Heroin addiction can be treated effectively and if we awareness is raised effectively & the proper information is dispensed amongst the community. We as a community can & will prevent more teenagers from experimenting with heroin, relapsing after treatment & death from overdose.

Our Mission: To raise money to financially fund (partially/fully) the recovery of an individual by sending the individual to an out of state, Non 12 Step long term, rehabilitation facility. We wish to support long term recovery solutions which include (CBT) cognitive behavior therapy, holistic healing & using dual treatment plans to tackle the underlying problems associated with  after receiving treatment patients will leave the facility fully drug free and without dependency on medications such as suboxone, methadone or others. Due to our current economical state, a lot of families cannot afford to send their loved one to an out of state, Non 12 Step program. Even families with the best insurance plans find that their insurance plan only covers drug rehabilitation to a certain extent (28 day - 12 Step Rehabilitation Facilities).

That’s where we step in!

How?

By building relationships with chosen, highly regarded, Non 12 Step Rehabilitation facilities with only the highest success rates.

            Finding out that a loved one has become addicted to heroin can bring about a lot of different emotions, fear, panic, resentment and most commonly denial. Individuals find it hard to make the proper arrangements and decisions regarding their loved ones. Cause for Casey Low would offer these families a sense of comfort, by providing them with the correct information regarding their child’s addiction, the proper rehabilitation facility that will meet the individual needs of their child, access the total cost’s of treatment and provide our services (education wise and financial wise). Thank you for joining our mission!

Sincerely,

Dara Low (Founder)

Tina Montanez (Co – Founder)

What’s are the differences between a 12 Step Rehabilitation Facility and a Non 12 Step Rehabilitation Facility?

Benefits of Non 12 Step Programs

Many people fail to realize that matters related to alcohol or drug addiction can be as serious as matters related to life and death.  Addiction is detrimental and not only effects the addict but everyone around him or her.  To help such individuals overcome their addiction there are numerous drug and alcohol rehab programs available.

ost common type of program offered by all the major rehabs is the 12-step program. However, since addiction problems vary from individual to individual several cases have shown that this treatment might not be suitable for every person. A large part of this treatment program is based on preparing the patient for the day they leave the rehab rather than working on the underlying causes that actually affect the person.

Everybody is aware of the fact that recovery from alcoholism or drug addiction is not easy and it requires a lot of commitment to change ones life around. Today, rehabs have become places to learn how to live a healthier and happier life as well as receive tools that can help addicts live substance free.   The most effective way to achieve sobriety is to stay in a reputable rehab center for a minimum of 30 days.

The reason why you should consider opting for a non-12 step alcohol treatment or drug rehab program is that it creates a self-empowering approach to recovery along with addressing the unique medical conditions and the co-occurring disorders.

A number of complementary therapy approaches are also used to provide faster recovery for the clients. These therapies are tailored-made according to the specific requirements of each and every individual client.  These approaches do not rely solely on mandatory meetings and lectures.

Non 12 step programs are comprised of multiple effective therapies including:

• 1 on 1 Therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
• TMS Therapy

The best part about the non 12 step program is that at each stage of the recovery process a specialized approach is adopted to assist in the treatment and is combined with counseling.

This approach is highly successful especially in couple’s therapy, family therapy, or self-help groups. The endeavor is to make every client responsible for his/her own recovery. In addition, emotions are treated as a key component in each client’s mood and personality.

Unlike many 12-step programs, the self-empowering, non-12-step approach works for a sizable percentage of people who try it. Inspire Malibu is one of the distinct centers that have adopted a non-12 step recovery approach.  For information on non 12 step drug or alcohol rehab visit Inspire Malibu or call (800) 444-1838

Benefits of Non 12 Step Programs

Many people fail to realize that matters related to alcohol or drug addiction can be as serious as matters related to life and death.  Addiction is detrimental and not only effects the addict but everyone around him or her.  To help such individuals overcome their addiction there are numerous drug and alcohol rehab programs available.

most common type of program offered by all the major rehabs is the 12-step program. However, since addiction problems vary from individual to individual several cases have shown that this treatment might not be suitable for every person. A large part of this treatment program is based on preparing the patient for the day they leave the rehab rather than working on the underlying causes that actually affect the person.

Everybody is aware of the fact that recovery from alcoholism or drug addiction is not easy and it requires a lot of commitment to change ones life around. Today, rehabs have become places to learn how to live a healthier and happier life as well as receive tools that can help addicts live substance free.   The most effective way to achieve sobriety is to stay in a reputable rehab center for a minimum of 30 days.

The reason why you should consider opting for a non-12 step alcohol treatment or drug rehab program is that it creates a self-empowering approach to recovery along with addressing the unique medical conditions and the co-occurring disorders.

A number of complementary therapy approaches are also used to provide faster recovery for the clients. These therapies are tailored-made according to the specific requirements of each and every individual client.  These approaches do not rely solely on mandatory meetings and lectures.

Non 12 step programs are comprised of multiple effective therapies including:

• 1 on 1 Therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
• TMS Therapy

The best part about the non 12 step program is that at each stage of the recovery process a specialized approach is adopted to assist in the treatment and is combined with counseling.

This approach is highly successful especially in couple’s therapy, family therapy, or self-help groups. The endeavor is to make every client responsible for his/her own recovery. In addition, emotions are treated as a key component in each client’s mood and personality.

Unlike many 12-step programs, the self-empowering, non-12-step approach works for a sizable percentage of people who try it.

Why not make a critical decision using quality information and common sense? Here's our opinion:

Monmouth County, NJ Heroin F&Q’s:

Here are some startling facts about the state of heroin in our area:

• In only one year, heroin deaths of 18-25 year olds in our state rose 24%
• 4.2 million Americans TWELVE OR OLDER report using heroin at least once in their lives. It is estimated that about 1 in 4 people who use heroin become addicted to it.
• Today, heroin users inject it, smoke it, or snort it.
• Monmouth County has some of the purest, and deadliest, heroin IN THE WORLD.
• The number of those who have sought treatment for admitted heroin problems (both children and adults, all citizens in the following school district areas) are:

721 in the Freehold Regional School District area, which includes the municipalities of Colts Neck, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Howell, Manalapan, and Marlboro
255 in Middletown
110 in Hazlet
164 in the Manasquan Sending District area, which includes the boroughs of Manasquan, Brielle, Sea Girt, Spring Lake Heights, Spring Lake, Belmar and Avon

• The largest user group of heroin users is under 26 years old…many starting their use as a teenager OR YOUNGER.
• Our state ranks in the top five for overall heroin seizures. That number has increased dramatically over the past ten years.
• Affluence, status, suburbs…none of it gets your kids away from heroin. No one is immune.
• Heroin is CHEAP and easy to get.
• In a recent study of those graduating high school in a recent study who stayed drug free, most said they did so because they did not want to disappoint their parents.
• Communication is the most effective tool for parents. Talk to your kids. And KEEP talking to them!
• Here are some of the warning signs of heroin use: Unkempt appearance, change in performance, missing valuables, change in friends, little or no motivation, ignores consequences, apathy/lethargy, eyes appear lost/far away look, possession of unexplained valuables, excess of sudden sleep, runny nose, slurred speech, poor self-image, loss of interest in usual interests, unexplained absences, no interest in future plans, hostility towards others, running away, defensive or agitated when questioned, broken commitments.

What is an Overdose?

Overdose (OD) happens when a toxic amount of a drug, or combination of drugs overwhelms the body. Heroin and other downers affect the body's central nervous system, which slows breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate, and in turn reduces body temperature. In an opiate overdose, the breathing slows to the point of respiratory arrest where the lack of oxygen to the brain leads to the loss of consciousness, coma, or death. In a stimulant overdose drugs like speed, cocaine, and ecstasy raise the heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, and speed up breathing. This can lead to a seizure, stroke, heart attack or death.

Anyone who uses drugs can overdose, from the first-time user to the veteran.

But overdoses don't have to be fatal!

Risk Factors and Prevention Tips

Mixing Drugs (poly-substance use)
Drugs taken together can interact in ways that increase their overall effect. Using drugs that have the same effects on the body can be deadly. Such combinations include cocaine with other stimulants like speed and ecstasy, or using alcohol with heroin and other downers. Many overdoses occur when people mix heroin and/or alcohol with benzodiazepines such as Klonopin, Valium, and Xanax. Most fatal overdoses are the result of poly-drug use.

Prevention: Use one drug at a time, or use less of each drug. Do your heroin first and pace your drinking.

Tolerance (your body's ability to process a certain amount of a drug)
Tolerance develops over time, so the amount of a drug a long-time user needs to feel the drug's effects is a lot greater than a newer user. Tolerance also wavers depending on several factors including, weight, size, illness, stress, compromised immune system (from hepatitis for example), and age. Your tolerance actually decreases over time, which is why there are more deaths among older users. Most importantly, tolerance can decrease rapidly when someone has taken a break from using a substance whether intentionally while in drug treatment or on methadone detox, or unintentionally while in jail or the hospital. Research has also shown that tolerance is effected when a person uses drugs in a new or unfamiliar environment, and therefore at a higher risk for overdose.

Prevention: Use less when you are sick or took a break from using. Do a tester shot, or split your dope in half and wait.

Quality (how pure a drug is)
The content and purity of street drugs is always unpredictable. They are often "cut" with other drugs or materials that can be dangerous. You can't tell how pure your drugs are from looking at it, and purity levels are always changing, which means you can do a shot that's a lot stronger than what you are used to and put yourself at risk of an overdose.

Prevention: Do a tester shot, release the tourniquet, and try to buy from the same dealer so you have a better idea of what you're getting.

Using Alone
While using alone isn't necessarily a cause of overdose, it increases the chance of fatally overdosing because there is no one there to call for help or take care of you if you go out. Many fatal overdoses have occurred behind closed or locked doors where the victims could not be found and no one was there to intervene.

Prevention: FIX WITH A FRIEND! Develop an overdose plan with your friends or partners, leave the door unlocked or slightly ajar, call someone you trust and have them check on you, and if you do use alone and feel yourself going out, call 911

How do you know if someone is really high or overdosing?

If someone is really high and using downers like heroin, alcohol, and pills...

• Muscles are slack and droopy
• They might "nod out"
• Speech may be slurred
• Pupils will contract and appear small
• They might be out of it, but they will respond to outside stimulus like loud noise or a push
• Scratch a lot due to itchy skin

If someone is really high and using stimulants like speed, cocaine, or ecstasy...

• Pupils will be enlarged
• Very alert and energetic, euphoric
• They might be paranoid and agitated
• Decreased appetite

If someone is overdosing their symptoms may look like this...

Depressants and sedatives slow down your heart rate and breathing.A person who overdoses on a depressant may pass out, stop breathing, or choke on their vomit—any of which can lead to death. Sometimes you can hear a person's raspy breathing and know they're having problems. If they've stopped breathing, you may not know it, but if they begin to turn blue, they may be very close to dying and need immediate attention—rescue breathing or CPR. The most important thing is to act right away and don't hesitate to call 911!

If the person is still conscious, walk them around, keep them awake, and monitor their breathing.If they pass out and become unresponsive call 911!

If the person is unconscious, try to wake them up by calling their name, or yelling "Narcan!"If they do not respond try waking them with pain stimulus by pinching their ear, under their arm, or rubbing their sternum with your knuckles. Be sure to check their breathing. Put your face over theirs and feel for air against your cheek while watching to see if their chest rises and falls. If they are not breathing, put the person in the recovery position and go call 911!

Tips on calling 911

Many of us are afraid to call 911 when someone we know ODs. You may have had a bad experience with paramedics, or heard stories about people being arrested when the cops came. But if you don't know how to do rescue breathing and/or CPR (or don't want to), and you don't have Narcan, calling 911 may be the only way to save the person's life. Here are a few tips for calling:

When calling 911...

• Quiet down the scene.
• Speak calmly and clearly. The more things appear to be under control the less likely the cops will be sent.
• Tell the dispatcher that the victim is unconscious and not breathing or turning blue.
• Tell them exactly where you and the victim are, the address and room number. If you are outside, give them the nearest street intersection and a landmark, as much information as possible to help them get to you. If you're squatting, send someone out to the street to wait for the ambulance.

You do not have to tell the dispatcher...

• Your name (give them an alias if they ask)
• That it's an overdose
• Or that drugs are involved

Once the paramedics arrive, tell them as much as you know about what drugs the person was using. For many of you, hiding your stuff before anyone comes (especially anything that might have residue like cookers, cottons, empty bags, etc.) is standard practice. Be calm and respectful, let them do their job. If the cops come too, remain calm, don't have an attitude and be as honest as you can without getting yourself into trouble.

If you're afraid of the cops, absolutely cannot stay and no one else is around...

You can still call 911! If you're on the street or in a park, calling from a pay phone is pretty anonymous.

Try to get a passerby to help before you leave.

If you are inside a building and you can do it without hurting your friend, take them into the street, or the building doorway. The easier it is for the paramedics to get to them, the better. (Remember to put them in the recovery position!)

If you can't move your friend, you can stay until you hear the sirens get really close, then split. Just make sure paramedics can get to them: leave the door open or put a note up, etc. (Again, remember to put them in the recovery position before you leave!)

If you have naloxone...

1. Can you get to it? If you have to leave the victim, remember to put them in the recovery position.
2. Draw the naloxone up into the syringe.1cc of 0.4mg/mL naloxone can be enough, but you can always draw up more and administer 1cc first, evaluate and then give them another dose.
3. Naloxone can be administered into the muscle, so you don't have to find a vein. The best places to inject are in the arm (deltoid), thigh (quadriceps), or butt (gluteus).
4. If you have an alcohol swab, clean the area, if not administer the shot anyway at a 90° angle.
5. Begin rescue breathing.

*Naloxone should kick in pretty quickly, but it could take a few minutes for the victim to come out of it. If they don't wake up and resume breathing within a few minutes, give them a second dose.

*In the meantime, it's important that you breathe for them.

Rescue breathing

After you've called 911 and/or administered naloxone, start rescue breathing. Turn the person over onto their back, tilt their head back gently to open the airway. Check their mouth to make sure nothing is blocking their throat. Pinch their nose and give 2 slow breaths. Each breath should last 1 ½ to 2 seconds and you should see their chest rise and fall. Wait 5 seconds and give 1 slow breath. Continue to give them 1 slow breath every 5 seconds until the paramedics arrive. If someone else is with you, take turns breathing until help arrives. Remember: rescue breathing is very important and can determine whether someone lives or dies.It only takes a few minutes without oxygen for permanent brain damage to occur.

If your friend comes to and starts breathing again, stay with them and monitor their breathing. They can still slip back into an overdose!

If your friend comes to and starts breathing again, stay with them and monitor their breathing. They can still slip back into an overdose!

What NOT to do if someone overdoses

Do Not put the person in an ice cold bath, it could put them into shock, or they could drown. If they are still breathing, you can put them under a cool shower to wake them, but stay with them and keep the water away from their nose and mouth.

Do Not inject them with salt water or milk, it won't revive them and in the time it takes to find a vein you could be rescue breathing or trying to wake them up.

Do Not inject someone overdosing on heroin with speed or cocaine. It's not a good use of time and can make them worse.It's one more drug their body has to deal with.

Now that you know the basics, talk to your friends or partner so you both know what to do if you or someone you care about overdoses. Come up with a plan that you can realistically use in the event of an overdose.

About Naloxone

Naloxone, commonly called Narcan®, is a drug used to counter the effects of an opiate (i.e. heroin or morphine) overdose. It has been the standard care for emergency departments and paramedics for the past few decades. Naloxone works by binding to the opioid receptor in the brain and reversing the depression of the central nervous and respiratory systems. It "tricks" the brain into thinking there are no opiates in the body. If someone is overdosing on an opiate, administering naloxone can speed up their breathing and temporarily bring them out of an overdose.

Naloxone sends people with a habit into immediate withdrawal, which can be really uncomfortable. That person may want to go and fix again because they can't feel the dope in their system, but using more can send them back into an overdose, since the opiates are still in their system. Reassure them that they will start to feel the dope again in about 45 minutes and their sick feeling will go away. Don't let them use again and keep an eye on them because once it wears off they are still at risk of overdosing.Remember naloxone only works on opiates, not speed or benzodiazepines like Klonopin or Valium.

Naloxone is a non-scheduled prescription medication. While it is not currently available in the U.S without a prescription, there are dozens of harm reduction programs around the country distributing legal prescriptions of naloxone to drug users and their family and friends as part of overdose prevention and education.

Naloxone saves lives. If you or your friends have experienced an overdose before, or at risk of an overdose, it may be a good idea to get a naloxone kit from your nearest syringe exchange program if they have it. Talk to staff about how and when to use naloxone and how you can get more if you use or lose it.

Understanding drug use, drug abuse, and addiction

People experiment with drugs for many different reasons. Many first try drugs out of curiosity, to have a good time, because friends are doing it, or in an effort to improve athletic performance or ease another problem, such as stress, anxiety, or depression. Use doesn’t automatically lead to abuse, and there is no specific level at which drug use moves from casual to problematic. It varies by individual. Drug abuse and addiction is less about the amount of substance consumed or the frequency, and more to do with the consequences of drug use. No matter how often or how little you’re consuming, if your drug use is causing problems in your life—at work, school, home, or in your relationships—you likely have a drug abuse or addiction problem.

Why do some drug users become addicted, while others don’t?

As with many other conditions and diseases, vulnerability to addiction differs from person to person. Your genes, mental health, family and social environment all play a role in addiction. Risk factors that increase your vulnerability include:

• Family history of addiction
• Abuse, neglect, or other traumatic experiences in childhood
• Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety
• Early use of drugs
• Method of administration—smoking or injecting a drug may increase its addictive potential

Drug addiction and the brain

Addiction is a complex disorder characterized by compulsive drug use. While each drug produces different physical effects, all abused substances share one thing in common: repeated use can alter the way the brain looks and functions.

• Taking a recreational drug causes a surge in levels of dopamine in your brain, which trigger feelings of pleasure. Your brain remembers these feelings and wants them repeated.
• If you become addicted, the substance takes on the same significance as other survival behaviors, such as eating and drinking.
• Changes in your brain interfere with your ability to think clearly, exercise good judgment, control your behavior, and feel normal without drugs.
• Whether you’re addicted to inhalants, heroin, Xanax, speed, or Vicodin, the uncontrollable craving to use grows more important than anything else, including family, friends, career, and even your own health and happiness.
• The urge to use is so strong that your mind finds many ways to deny or rationalize the addiction. You may drastically underestimate the quantity of drugs you’re taking, how much it impacts your life, and the level of control you have over your drug use.

People who experiment with drugs continue to use them because the substance either makes them feel good, or stops them from feeling bad. In many cases, however, there is a fine line between regular use and drug abuse and addiction. Very few addicts are able to recognize when they have crossed that line. While frequency or the amount of drugs consumed don’t in themselves constitute drug abuse or addiction, they can often be indicators of drug-related problems.

• Problems can sometimes sneak up on you, as your drug use gradually increases over time. Smoking a joint with friends at the weekend, or taking ecstasy at a rave, or cocaine at an occasional party, for example, can change to using drugs a couple of days a week, then every day. Gradually, getting and using the drug becomes more and more important to you.
• If the drug fulfills a valuable need, you may find yourself increasingly relying on it. For example, you may take drugs to calm you if you feel anxious or stressed, energize you if you feel depressed, or make you more confident in social situations if you normally feel shy. Or you may have started using prescription drugs to cope with panic attacks or relieve chronic pain, for example. Until you find alternative, healthier methods for overcoming these problems, your drug use will likely continue.
• Similarly, if you use drugs to fill a void in your life, you’re more at risk of crossing the line from casual use to drug abuse and addiction. To maintain healthy balance in your life, you need to have other positive experiences, to feel good in your life aside from any drug use.
• As drug abuse takes hold, you may miss or frequently be late for work or school, your job performance may progressively deteriorate, and you start to neglect social or family obligations. Your ability to stop using is eventually compromised. What began as a voluntary choice has turned into a physical and psychological need.

The good news is that with the right treatment and support, you can counteract the disruptive effects of drug use and regain control of your life. The first obstacle is to recognize and admit you have a problem, or listen to loved ones who are often better able to see the negative effects drug use is having on your life.

5 Myths about Drug Abuse and Addiction

MYTH 1: Overcoming addiction is a simply a matter of willpower. You can stop using drugs if you really want to. Prolonged exposure to drugs alters the brain in ways that result in powerful cravings and a compulsion to use. These brain changes make it extremely difficult to quit by sheer force of will.

MYTH 2: Addiction is a disease; there’s nothing you can do about it. Most experts agree that addiction is a brain disease, but that doesn’t mean you’re a helpless victim. The brain changes associated with addiction can be treated and reversed through therapy, medication, exercise, and other treatments.

MYTH 3: Addicts have to hit rock bottom before they can get better. Recovery can begin at any point in the addiction process—and the earlier, the better. The longer drug abuse continues, the stronger the addiction becomes and the harder it is to treat. Don’t wait to intervene until the addict has lost it all.

MYTH 4: You can’t force someone into treatment; they have to want help. Treatment doesn’t have to be voluntary to be successful. People who are pressured into treatment by their family, employer, or the legal system are just as likely to benefit as those who choose to enter treatment on their own. As they sober up and their thinking clears, many formerly resistant addicts decide they want to change.

MYTH 5: Treatment didn’t work before, so there’s no point trying again. Recovery from drug addiction is a long process that often involves setbacks. Relapse doesn’t mean that treatment has failed or that you’re a lost cause. Rather, it’s a signal to get back on track, either by going back to treatment or adjusting the treatment approach.

Signs and symptoms of drug abuse and drug addiction

Although different drugs have different physical effects, the symptoms of addiction are similar. See if you recognize yourself in the following signs and symptoms of substance abuse and addiction. If so, consider talking to someone about your drug use.

Common signs and symptoms of drug abuse

• You’re neglecting your responsibilities at school, work, or home (e.g. flunking classes, skipping work, neglecting your children) because of your drug use.
• You’re using drugs under dangerous conditions or taking risks while high, such as driving while on drugs, using dirty needles, or having unprotected sex.
• Your drug use is getting you into legal trouble, such as arrests for disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, or stealing to support a drug habit. 
• Your drug use is causing problems in your relationships, such as fights with your partner or family members, an unhappy boss, or the loss of old friends.

Common signs and symptoms of drug addiction

• You’ve built up a drug tolerance. You need to use more of the drug to experience the same effects you used to attain with smaller amounts.
• You take drugs to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms. If you go too long without drugs, you experience symptoms such as nausea, restlessness, insomnia, depression, sweating, shaking, and anxiety.
• You’ve lost control over your drug use. You often do drugs or use more than you planned, even though you told yourself you wouldn’t. You may want to stop using, but you feel powerless.
• Your life revolves around drug use. You spend a lot of time using and thinking about drugs, figuring out how to get them, and recovering from the drug’s effects.
• You’ve abandoned activities you used to enjoy, such as hobbies, sports, and socializing, because of your drug use.
• You continue to use drugs, despite knowing it’s hurting you. It’s causing major problems in your life—blackouts, infections, mood swings, depression, paranoia—but you use anyway.

Warning signs that a friend or family member is abusing drugs

Drug abusers often try to conceal their symptoms and downplay their problem. If you’re worried that a friend or family member might be abusing drugs, look for the following warning signs:

Physical warning signs of drug abuse

• Bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than usual
• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden weight loss or weight gain
• Deterioration of physical appearance, personal grooming habits
• Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing
• Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination

Behavioral signs of drug abuse

• Drop in attendance and performance at work or school
• Unexplained need for money or financial problems. May borrow or steal to get it.
• Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors
• Sudden change in friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies
• Frequently getting into trouble (fights, accidents, illegal activities)

Psychological warning signs of drug abuse

• Unexplained change in personality or attitude
• Sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts
• Periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or giddiness
• Lack of motivation; appears lethargic or “spaced out”
• Appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid, with no reason

Warning Signs of Commonly Abused Drugs

• Marijuana: Glassy, red eyes; loud talking, inappropriate laughter followed by sleepiness; loss of interest, motivation; weight gain or loss.
• Depressants (including Xanax, Valium, GHB): Contracted pupils; drunk-like; difficulty concentrating; clumsiness; poor judgment; slurred speech; sleepiness.
• Stimulants (including amphetamines, cocaine, crystal meth): Dilated pupils; hyperactivity; euphoria; irritability; anxiety; excessive talking followed by depression or excessive sleeping at odd times; may go long periods of time without eating or sleeping; weight loss; dry mouth and nose.
• Inhalants (glues, aerosols, vapors): Watery eyes; impaired vision, memory and thought; secretions from the nose or rashes around the nose and mouth; headaches and nausea; appearance of intoxication; drowsiness; poor muscle control; changes in appetite; anxiety; irritability; lots of cans/aerosols in the trash.
• Hallucinogens (LSD, PCP): Dilated pupils; bizarre and irrational behavior including paranoia, aggression, hallucinations; mood swings; detachment from people; absorption with self or other objects, slurred speech; confusion.
• Heroin: Contracted pupils; no response of pupils to light; needle marks; sleeping at unusual times; sweating; vomiting; coughing, sniffling; twitching; loss of appetite.

Warning signs of teen drug abuse

While experimenting with drugs doesn’t automatically lead to drug abuse, early use is a risk factor for developing more serious drug abuse and addiction. Risk of drug abuse also increases greatly during times of transition, such as changing schools, moving, or divorce. The challenge for parents is to distinguish between the normal, often volatile, ups and downs of the teen years and the red flags of substance abuse. These include:

• Having bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils; using eye drops to try to mask these signs
• Skipping class; declining grades; suddenly getting into trouble at school
• Missing money, valuables, or prescriptions
• Acting uncharacteristically isolated, withdrawn, angry, or depressed
• Dropping one group of friends for another; being secretive about the new peer group
• Loss of interest in old hobbies; lying about new interests and activities
• Demanding more privacy; locking doors; avoiding eye contact; sneaking around