Substance Use Signs, Symptoms, and Slang

Most youth and parents don’t have to worry about drug slang or effects, but if a young person is becoming drawn into the world of drugs, their parent needs to know about this. A web page is no substitute for the more in-depth support and information that can come from other parents and from drug abuse intervention professionals, but information from the web can be one source for concerned parents. Care should be exercised, as there are many web sites operated by persons or groups that do not oppose drug use. Aside from misinformation that may be included in such sites, there is commonly a theme of trying to use drugs “safely,” rather than any suggestion of whether or how to confront substance use as an illegal and unhealthy act.

For parents who wonder whether their son or daughter is using substances, we suggest the site: http://www.pride.org/possiblesignsofdruguse.htm. Don’t overlook the important note at the end of the page, pointing out that many of these signs may be indicators of other kinds of issues rather than substance use. The note closes with the importance of communication both with one’s children and with the parents of their friends (see our Parent Anti-Drug Networks page).

If you encounter slang that you think might be drug-related, go to this site: http://www.drugs.indiana.edu/resources/druginfo/issues/slang/index.html. This is a “Street Drug Slang Directory” operated by the Indiana Prevention Resource Center.