How Will I Know If My Roommate is a Drug Abuser?

It can be very hard for someone to hide their drug use from the people they’re living with. However, substance abuse can make a person extremely reticent, paranoid, and determined to keep secrets. If you believe your roommate may be a substance abuser and could be in need of serious help, consider the common signs listed below to see if this could be a possibility.

Physical Signs of Drug Abuse

Your roommate may begin to look different, especially at certain times, and their physicality may change quite drastically if they are abusing illicit substances. Especially if they are high at the time, there are a number of signs you can notice to determine whether or not the individual is abusing drugs:

  • Red, bleary, or bloodshot eyes
  • Very small or very large pupils, depending on the drug
  • Unexplained weight gain or loss, depending on the drug
  • Slurred speech
  • Tremors or shaking
  • Smelling like smoke or having other unusual smells on the breath or clothing
  • Being dirty or unkempt, as their drug abuse will likely cause them to begin to care less about their physical appearance
  • Yellowed or cracked teeth

If you begin to notice that your roommate’s physical appearance is changing drastically, this can be a strong sign of substance abuse.

Behavioral Signs of Drug Abuse

Drug Abuser

Spending a lot of time alone and being chronically tired are signs of drug abuse.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “People with drug problems might act differently than they used to” as well. They may:

  • Spend more time alone
  • Lose interest in the things they used to love
  • Keep odd sleeping hours, become restless, or be tired often
  • Become sad and even struggle with symptoms akin to depression
  • Say things that don’t make sense or laugh constantly
  • Become irritable often (as the result of not being able to use drugs)
  • Miss important things like work, school, or meetings you have set with one another
  • Use their rent money on other things and refuse to say what these are
  • Experience mood swings that are obvious to others
  • Refuse to discuss where they have been, who they were with, etc. when they are not in the house
  • Become hostile if you ask them about their drug abuse

Other Signs of Substance Abuse

Your roommate will likely hide paraphernalia in the house and may even keep their drugs in some place they think you won’t look. They will naturally be careful to try and keep these strong physical signs of their abuse away from you, but you can sometimes find things like:

  • Pill bottles
  • Needles
  • Pipes
  • Bongs
  • Plastic bags
  • Razors
  • Mirrors

If your roommate’s substance abuse has begun to lead them toward addiction, you will also likely see them struggle with many issues in their personal and professional life. They may lose their job, lose an important relationship, or begin to deal with serious financial problems. If you notice many of these issues beginning all around the same time, it is likely your roommate is abusing drugs to a dangerous degree and needs help.

https://www.disorders.org/inhalant-use-disorder/signs-of-an-inhalant-use-disorder/

Do You Want to Find Drug Addiction Treatment?

If you think your roommate is a substance abuser, call 888-647-0051 (Who Answers?) today. We can help you find a treatment that will fit their needs or give you tips on how to discuss your concerns with them.

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