in today's video we're going to cover signs that someone is using drugs and by
signs I mean physical pieces of evidence I think you might be surprised by some
of the things on this list for those of you who are new here I'm amber
Hollingsworth and you're watching put the shovel down the YouTube channel
designed to help you understand the science and psychology of addiction so
you can beat it if that sounds like something you need to do consider
subscribing alright on to our topic recently someone
recommended in our comments that we do this video signs that someone's using
drugs and so and so I've done a little interviewing because I know that I don't
know all the signs and symptoms but I've asked expert witnesses meaning some
friends I have in recovery and the group that I currently run and here's the list
that they've come up with for you now by no means is this an exhaustive list this
is just a short list for you so if you know of other signs or pieces of evidence
that someone's using drugs please leave it in the comments below because it may
help another family member out there looking for information alright I tried
to put these in categories so the first one is and this is actually the longest
list but this is signs that someone's using marijuana ready water bottles with
holes sockets with resin in it when my group told me this I was like what do
you mean eye socket and they're talking about like a socket like the tool like a
socket you know like wrenches nuts bolts that kind of suck it with resonance out
of it resin being left over marijuana in the bottom of the socket rolling papers
I think that's obvious probably shouldn't even put that on the list big
packages that come in the mail a sudden interest in plastic bags door stoppers
this was weird but the group told me that the door
stoppers you know the thing that keeps your door from like slamming into the
wall it looks like a little springy thing so door stoppers pipe cleaners
q-tips clear eyes another obvious one toilet paper rolls laundry detergent
Gatorade bottles and dryer sheets alright we have a fairly short list for
and symptoms that someone is using meth as in methamphetamine and that is
torches was the big one so buy torches you know it's those
lighters that you don't just flicker they come on come off but they sort of
stay lit they're called a torch lighter those hollowed-out light bulbs and benzedrex
which is the stuff you can buy at the drugstore next are signs and
symptoms that your loved one might be doing pills pieces of foil little pieces
of foil razor blades a flat tray it's kind of like a flat like serving tray
because basically it's something to sort of put the pill on or crush it up that
kind of thing nasal spray hollowed-out pens so think
of it like a bic pen with the insides taken out because you have the tube or
the straw left over and they also put just bic pens in general if you see a
lot of those and toilet paper because sometimes people that are doing pills
will take toilet paper stuff it down in the pill bottle so it doesn't make that
rattling sound when they're walking or they have it on them bottle caps and
little pieces of cotton Signs that someone may be drinking excessively
empty bottles unexplained mood changes excessive Listerine use and excessive
cologne or perfume that's usually used to cover up the smell
next is signs that your loved one might be using cocaine runny nose droopy eyes
missing money hey that's a big one that should also go under pills for sure
that's probably the biggest one and pupil size pupil size is also something
that you should put under someone that might be taking pills as well they'll
have really sort of constricted pupils so it means even when they walk into a
sort of dim room their pupils don't dilate like like they regularly should
so that you're looking for that sort of restricted pupil size and lastly I want
to add to the list balloons air duster and or inhalants and I've got a special
surprise for you because I asked a good friend of mine Megan from the Megan F
YouTube channel to weigh in on what she thinks are signs and symptoms that you
have a loved one using drugs so let's hear what Megan has to say
about this topic and I'll be sure to leave a link to her channel at the end
of the video. Megan: if you're worried that your kid might be using drugs it's pretty
obvious to spot as long as you're paying attention if the child is like a preteen
or teenager and living in your home just look for any changes in their routine
changes in their sleeping habits or they sleeping too much or not enough are they
eating like are their friends changing are their grades suffering it's pretty
easy to see honestly but I think sometimes we see our child as we want
them to be instead of how they actually are now if you do see any of these
changes it doesn't mean it's drugs automatically but it does mean that they need
you they have something going on and they need your help if it's an adult
child living outside of the house that's when things get a little bit tricky
because you don't really have any control over them and you probably see
them a whole lot less but if they are at your house and you are getting
suspicious some things that I would look out for would be actual physical
symptoms of the drugs you can look it up on Google but depending on the drug it
might have dilated pupils they might have constricted pupils they might be
sweaty they might be scratching a lot and itching or they might be picking at
their skin all of those could be symptoms of different drugs so you'll
just kind of to play it by ear I wouldn't accuse them I would just kind
of observe them my name is Megan and you can find me on youtube at Megan F I
share my story online because I want to break down that stigma I want to fight
back against the misinformation that exists out there and I want to spread
hope because recovery is always possible.