Real Life Superheroes - The Forum
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.


Real Life Superheroes - The Forum
 
HomeHome  Latest imagesLatest images  RegisterRegister  Log inLog in  

 

 Drug Abuse information

Go down 
2 posters
AuthorMessage
Krystalline

Krystalline


Category :
  • Public Service
  • Hero Support


Drug Abuse information Empty
PostSubject: Drug Abuse information   Drug Abuse information Icon_minitime1Tue Jun 28, 2011 9:07 am

After reading the recent news article about Thanatos (http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article/246361--meet-vancouver-s-very-own-superhero) I thought it best to post something that will help those of you on the streets spot a drug addict, and to know what drug they may be on based upon their physical symptoms. Just keep in mind that if you spot a drug user on the streets that more often than not that they are not on merely one drug. As a speaker at my school once told me "Once you start with something you don't just stop, you keep getting deeper into drugs, searching for a high that you can't get without going deeper [into the drug scene]".

Remember to use caution around drug abusers as they can be irrational, paranoid, and may often be carrying a weapon, or a dirty needle (although this is not always the case). Drug abusers are not always people that are down on their luck, and could be recreational users, who tend to be more, we'll say "outspoken", than those using drugs to escape some sort of pain.

Warning signs of drug abuse:

"Physical Signs

* Loss of appetite, increase in appetite, any changes in eating habits, unexplained weight loss or gain.
* Slowed or staggering walk; poor physical coordination.
* Inability to sleep, awake at unusual times, unusual laziness.
* Red, watery eyes; pupils larger or smaller than usual; blank stare.
* Cold, sweaty palms; shaking hands.
* Puffy face, blushing or paleness.
* Smell of substance on breath, body or clothes.
* Extreme hyperactivity; excessive talkativeness.
* Runny nose; hacking cough.
* Needle marks on lower arm, leg or bottom of feet.
* Nausea, vomiting or excessive sweating.
* Tremors or shakes of hands, feet or head.
* Irregular heartbeat.

Behavioral Signs

* Change in overall attitude/personality with no other identifiable cause.
* Changes in friends; new hang-outs; sudden avoidance of old crowd; doesn't want to talk about new friends; friends are known drug users.
* Change in activities or hobbies.
* Drop in grades at school or performance at work; skips school or is late for school.
* Change in habits at home; loss of interest in family and family activities.
* Difficulty in paying attention; forgetfulness.
* General lack of motivation, energy, self-esteem, "I don't care" attitude.
* Sudden oversensitivity, temper tantrums, or resentful behavior.
* Moodiness, irritability, or nervousness.
* Silliness or giddiness.
* Paranoia
* Excessive need for privacy; unreachable.
* Secretive or suspicious behavior.
* Car accidents.
* Chronic dishonesty.
* Unexplained need for money, stealing money or items.
* Change in personal grooming habits.
* Possession of drug paraphernalia.


Drug Specific Symptoms:

Marijuana: Glassy, red eyes; loud talking and inappropriate laughter followed by sleepiness; a sweet burnt scent; loss of interest, motivation; weight gain or loss.

Alcohol: Clumsiness; difficulty walking; slurred speech; sleepiness; poor judgment; dilated pupils; possession of a false ID card.

Depressants: (including barbiturates and tranquilizers) Seems drunk as if from alcohol but without the associated odor of alcohol; difficulty concentrating; clumsiness; poor judgment; slurred speech; sleepiness; and contracted pupils.

Stimulants: 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; dilated pupils; weight loss; dry mouth and nose.

Inhalants: (Glues, aerosols, and 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; an unusual number of spray cans in the trash.

Hallucinogens: 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: Needle marks; sleeping at unusual times; sweating; vomiting; coughing and sniffling; twitching; loss of appetite; contracted pupils; no response of pupils to light.

Tobacco/Nicotine: Smell of tobacco; stained fingers or teeth."

(cited from [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

More symptoms specific to a singular drug:

"Methamphetamine Effects:

"Wired"--sleeplessness for days and weeks at a time, total loss of appetite, extreme weight loss, dialated pupils, excited, talkative, deluded sense of power, paranoia, depression, loss of control, nervousness, unusual sweating, shaking, anxiety, hallucinations, aggression, violence, dizziness, mood changes, blurred vision, mental confusion, agitation. More meth addiction info.
Cocaine Effects:

Impaired thinking, confused, anxious, depressed, short tempered, panic attacks, suspiciousness, dilated pupils, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, decreased sexual drive, restlessness, irritability, very talkative, scratching, hallucinations, paranoia. More cocaine info.
LSD (Acid) Effects:

Dilated pupils, skin discoloration, loss of coordination, false sense of power, euphoria, distortion of time and space, hallucinations, confusion, paranoia, nausea, vomiting, loss of control, anxiety, panic, helplessness, and self destructive behavior. More LSD info
PCP Effects:

Sometimes violent or bizarre behavior (suicide has often occurred), paranoia, fearfulness, anxiety, aggressive or withdrawn, skin flushing, sweating, dizziness, total numbness, and impaired perceptions.
Inhalant Effects:

Short-lasting euphoria, giggling, silliness, dizziness. Then come the headaches and full-blown "faintings" or going unconscious. Longterm Use: Short-term memory loss, emotional instability, impairment of reasoning, slurred speech, clumsy staggering gait, eye flutter, tremors, hearing loss, loss of sense of smell, and escalating stages of brain atrophy. Sometimes these serious longterm effects are reversible with body detoxification and nutritional therapy; sometimes the brain damage is irreversible or only partially reversible."

(cited from [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Chart of the most abused drugs, street names, how they are used, and the side effects, as well as notes on Drug Addiction Treatment: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Back to top Go down
Blue Alpha

Blue Alpha


Category :
  • Crime Fighter
  • Public Service


Drug Abuse information Empty
PostSubject: Re: Drug Abuse information   Drug Abuse information Icon_minitime1Wed Jun 29, 2011 12:26 pm

Many of the heroin behaviorals seem based more on heroin withdrawl, not use....Still a good thread. Good info
Back to top Go down
Krystalline

Krystalline


Category :
  • Public Service
  • Hero Support


Drug Abuse information Empty
PostSubject: Re: Drug Abuse information   Drug Abuse information Icon_minitime1Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:19 am

That's true Blue Alpha, a lot of the erratic behavior is caused because of withdrawal, but a person on PCP or other drugs that cause aggressive tendencies in a person can be just as violent on or off their drug of choice.
Back to top Go down
Blue Alpha

Blue Alpha


Category :
  • Crime Fighter
  • Public Service


Drug Abuse information Empty
PostSubject: Re: Drug Abuse information   Drug Abuse information Icon_minitime1Fri Jul 01, 2011 9:44 pm

No, the flu-like symptoms aren't a result of opium use, but it is sypthoms of opium withdrawl.
Back to top Go down
Sponsored content





Drug Abuse information Empty
PostSubject: Re: Drug Abuse information   Drug Abuse information Icon_minitime1

Back to top Go down
 
Drug Abuse information
Back to top 
Page 1 of 1
 Similar topics
-
» Crime information wiki

Permissions in this forum:You cannot reply to topics in this forum
Real Life Superheroes - The Forum :: General Information :: Training & Preparation-
Jump to: