Physical Signs
Identifying someone who is high on drugs can be challenging, but certain physical signs can provide clues. The most common indicators include:
Dilated Pupils
One of the most noticeable signs of drug use is dilated pupils. The pupils of the eyes become larger than usual due to the drug’s effects on the central nervous system. This dilation can make the eyes appear wide and glassy, and the person may have difficulty focusing.
The degree of pupil dilation can vary depending on the type of drug being used. Stimulants, such as cocaine and amphetamines, typically cause the pupils to dilate significantly. Opioid drugs, such as heroin and morphine, can also cause pupillary dilation, although to a lesser extent.
Other factors that can affect pupil size include lighting conditions and certain medical conditions. It’s important to consider these factors when assessing pupil dilation as a possible sign of drug use.
Changes in Heart Rate and Blood Pressure
Drug use can significantly affect the heart rate and blood pressure. Stimulants can increase both heart rate and blood pressure, while depressants can slow down the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Changes in heart rate and blood pressure can be noticeable, especially in individuals who are not regular drug users. A rapid or irregular heartbeat, or unusually high or low blood pressure, can indicate that someone has ingested a drug.
| Drug Class | Typical Effect on Heart Rate and Blood Pressure |
|---|---|
| Stimulants | Increased heart rate and blood pressure |
| Depressants | Decreased heart rate and blood pressure |
Behavioral Changes
When someone is high, they may exhibit noticeable changes in their behavior, including:
Blurred Speech and Difficulty Speaking
Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol can impair speech. Slurred or incoherent speech, stumbling over words, and difficulty pronouncing words are common indicators of intoxication. However, it’s important to note that speech difficulties can also be caused by other factors, such as fatigue or certain medical conditions.
Altered Coordination and Balance
Drugs and alcohol can affect coordination and balance. Individuals who are high may have trouble walking or standing steadily, stumble or bump into things, or have difficulty performing fine motor skills.
Increased or Decreased Activity Level
Depending on the substance used, a person’s activity level may fluctuate. Some drugs, such as stimulants, can lead to increased energy and restlessness, while others, such as depressants, can cause drowsiness and inactivity.
Mood Swings and Emotional Instability
Drug use can trigger emotional ups and downs. Individuals may exhibit rapid mood swings, from euphoria to irritability or sadness. They may also become overly sensitive or tearful.
Changes in Social Behavior
High individuals may behave differently in social situations. They may become more withdrawn or aggressive, or exhibit inappropriate or disruptive behavior.
Impaired Speech and Language
When someone is high, their speech and language abilities may be impaired. This can manifest in several ways:
1. Slurred Speech
Slurred speech is a common sign of intoxication. It occurs when the muscles in the mouth and throat that are used for speaking become relaxed, making it difficult to pronounce words clearly.
2. Difficulty Finding Words
People who are high may also have difficulty finding the right words to say. This can be due to impaired cognitive function, which makes it harder to access and retrieve words from memory.
3. Disorganized and Incoherent Speech
In some cases, people who are high may have trouble organizing their thoughts and speaking coherently. Their speech may jump from topic to topic or lack a logical flow, making it difficult for others to understand.
| Impaired Speech and Language Symptoms | Description |
|---|---|
| Slurred speech | Words are pronounced unclearly due to relaxed muscles. |
| Difficulty finding words | Impaired cognitive function makes it hard to access vocabulary. |
| Disorganized and incoherent speech | Impaired thought organization leads to difficulty structuring speech. |
Altered Perception and Judgment
Drug use can significantly alter a person’s perception and judgment, leading them to behave in ways that are out of character. These changes can range from subtle distortions to complete detachment from reality. Common signs of altered perception and judgment include:
- Confusion and disorientation
- Impaired coordination and balance
- Blurred vision or dilated pupils
- Slowed reaction times and poor decision-making
Depending on the drug and the individual’s tolerance, these effects can vary in severity. In extreme cases, drug use can induce hallucinations, delusions, and even psychosis. It is important to note that altered perception and judgment can pose significant safety risks for both the individual and those around them.
Distorted Sense of Time
Marijuana, stimulants, and hallucinogens can all disrupt the body’s natural sense of time. Users may experience minutes feeling like hours or hours feeling like minutes. This distortion can lead to impaired decision-making and difficulty carrying out tasks that require precise timing.
Heightened Sensory Perception
Psychedelics, such as LSD and psilocybin mushrooms, can intensify sensory experiences. Colors may become more vibrant, sounds more amplified, and touch more sensitive. While this heightened awareness can be enjoyable for some users, it can also be overwhelming or even frightening for others.
Impaired Attention and Memory
Many drugs, including sedatives, benzodiazepines, and opioids, can impair attention and memory. Users may struggle to focus on tasks, remember details, or follow conversations. This can impact their ability to perform at school or work and maintain healthy relationships.
| Drug | Altered Perception/Judgment Effects |
|---|---|
| Marijuana | Distorted sense of time, impaired coordination |
| Stimulants | Heightened sensory perception, impaired attention |
| Hallucinogens | Intense sensory experiences, altered perception of reality |
| Sedatives | Impaired attention, memory loss |
| Benzodiazepines | Reduced alertness, impaired judgment |
Changes in Mood and Emotion
When someone is high on marijuana, they may experience a range of mood and emotional changes. These can include:
Euphoria
This is a feeling of intense happiness and well-being. People who are high may feel like they are on top of the world and that everything is right with it.
Relaxation
Marijuana can also produce a feeling of relaxation and calm. People who are high may feel like their worries and stress are melting away.
Giggliness
Many people who are high experience a burst of giggles. This can be caused by the marijuana’s effects on the brain’s pleasure centers.
Anxiety
Some people who use marijuana experience anxiety instead of relaxation. This is more likely to happen if they are using a high dose of marijuana or if they have a history of anxiety problems.
Paranoia
In rare cases, marijuana can cause paranoia. This is a feeling of intense fear or suspicion, often toward others. It can be a very unpleasant experience.
The following table summarizes the common mood and emotional changes associated with marijuana use:
| Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Euphoria | A feeling of intense happiness and well-being |
| Relaxation | A feeling of relaxation and calm |
| Giggliness | A burst of giggles |
| Anxiety | A feeling of intense fear or suspicion |
| Paranoia | A feeling of intense fear or suspicion toward others |
Red Eyes and Dilated Pupils
When someone is high, their eyes can have a distinct appearance. This is caused by several physiological changes that occur when under the influence of drugs.
Red Eyes
One of the most noticeable signs of being under the influence is bloodshot or red eyes. This occurs due to the dilation of blood vessels in the eyes, caused by certain drugs such as marijuana, alcohol, and cocaine. The increased blood flow gives the eyes a reddish appearance.
Dilated Pupils
Another visible sign of being high is dilated pupils. This is caused by the dilation of the pupils, which are the black circles in the center of the eyes. Pupil dilation is controlled by the autonomic nervous system and can be caused by certain drugs such as LSD and ecstasy.
Causes of Dilated Pupils
The dilation of pupils can be caused by several factors other than drug use, including:
| Factors in Dilating Pupils |
|---|
| Dim lighting |
| Certain medical conditions |
| Certain medications |
It’s important to note that dilated pupils are not always an indication of drug use, but they can be a significant sign, especially when accompanied by other symptoms.
Increased Heart Rate and Breathing
When someone is high, their heart rate and breathing often increase. This is because the THC in marijuana speeds up the circulatory system and stimulates the central nervous system. As a result, the heart rate can increase by 20-50 beats per minute and breathing can become more rapid and shallow.
Physical Signs
In addition to increased heart rate and breathing, there are other physical signs that someone may be high. These include:
| Sign | Description |
|---|---|
| Bloodshot eyes | THC causes blood vessels in the eyes to dilate, which can make the eyes appear red and bloodshot. |
| Dry mouth | THC reduces saliva production, which can lead to a dry mouth. |
| Increased appetite | THC stimulates the appetite, which can lead to increased food cravings. |
| Impaired coordination | THC affects coordination and balance, which can make it difficult to walk, talk, or perform other tasks. |
| Altered perception | THC can alter perception, which can cause changes in the way someone sees, hears, or experiences the world around them. |
Loss of Coordination
One of the most telltale signs of intoxication is loss of coordination. This can manifest in a number of ways, including:
Clumsy Movements
People who are high may stumble, bump into things, or have difficulty performing simple tasks that require coordination, such as buttoning a shirt or walking in a straight line.
Poor Balance
Intoxicated individuals may have difficulty maintaining their balance, which can lead to swaying, staggering, or even falling.
Slowed Reaction Time
Drugs can impair cognitive function, including reaction time. This can make it difficult for intoxicated individuals to respond quickly to unexpected situations, such as a sudden change in direction or a loud noise.
Loss of Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills are those that involve precise movements of the hands and fingers. Intoxicated people may have difficulty performing tasks that require fine motor skills, such as writing, typing, or playing a musical instrument.
Tremors
Some drugs can cause tremors, which are involuntary shaking movements of the hands, head, or body. Tremors can make it difficult to perform tasks that require steady hands.
Nystagmus
Nystagmus is a condition in which the eyes move rapidly back and forth. It is a common sign of intoxication and can make it difficult to focus on objects.
Slurred Speech
Slurred speech is another common sign of intoxication. It is caused by impaired muscle control in the mouth and throat.
| Sign of Loss of Coordination | Description |
|---|---|
| Clumsy Movements | Difficulty performing tasks that require coordination, such as walking or buttoning a shirt. |
| Poor Balance | Difficulty maintaining balance, which can lead to swaying, staggering, or falling. |
| Slowed Reaction Time | Difficulty responding quickly to unexpected situations. |
| Loss of Fine Motor Skills | Difficulty performing tasks that require precise movements of the hands and fingers, such as writing or typing. |
| Tremors | Involuntary shaking movements of the hands, head, or body. |
| Nystagmus | Rapid back-and-forth movement of the eyes. |
| Slurred Speech | Impaired speech caused by impaired muscle control in the mouth and throat. |
Unusual Patterns of Behavior
1. Uncontrollable Laughter or Giggling
A person who is high on drugs may experience uncontrollable laughter or giggling, even at inappropriate moments.
2. Exaggerated Gestures and Movements
They may make exaggerated gestures or movements, such as waving their arms or pacing around.
3. Impaired Coordination and Balance
Drugs can affect a person’s balance and coordination, causing them to stumble or fall.
4. Rapid Speech and Thought Patterns
A high person may talk excessively fast and skip between thoughts and ideas.
5. Reduced Inhibitions
Drug use can reduce inhibitions, making people more likely to say or do things they normally wouldn’t.
6. Dilated Pupils
Many drugs cause pupils to dilate, making them appear larger than usual.
7. Impaired Judgment
High people may have impaired judgment and make poor decisions, such as driving under the influence.
8. Mood Swings
Drug use can cause mood swings, from euphoria to irritability or depression.
9. Increased Sensory Perception
Some drugs, such as hallucinogens, can enhance sensory perception, making colors, sounds, and textures seem more vivid.
| Drug | Increased Sensory Perception |
|---|---|
| LSD | Yes |
| Psilocybin | Yes |
| MDMA | Yes |
Tolerance and Withdrawal
Tolerance to a substance refers to a decrease in its effect after repeated use. Withdrawal, on the other hand, occurs when a person who has been taking a substance stops doing so and experiences unpleasant symptoms. Both tolerance and withdrawal are indicative of an addiction to a substance.
Tolerance
Tolerance is a common phenomenon in substance use. With repeated use, the body adapts to the presence of the substance and requires higher doses to achieve the same effect. This can lead to a cycle of increasingly heavy substance use, with potentially dangerous consequences.
Tolerance develops to both the desired and undesired effects of a substance. For example, with regular alcohol use, the person may develop tolerance to its intoxicating effects, requiring more alcohol to get drunk. However, they may also develop tolerance to its negative effects, such as impaired coordination and speech.
Factors that affect the rate of tolerance development include the type of substance, the frequency and dose of use, and individual variability.
Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms occur when a person who has been taking a substance suddenly stops or significantly reduces their intake. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include physical, psychological, and emotional changes.
| Substance | Withdrawal Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Anxiety, sweating, tremors, nausea, vomiting |
| Opioids | Muscle aches, fever, chills, sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea |
| Benzodiazepines | Anxiety, insomnia, tremors, seizures |
The severity of withdrawal symptoms depends on several factors, including the type of substance, the duration and extent of use, and individual factors such as age, health, and genetics.
How To Know If Someone S High
There are a few telltale signs that someone may be high. These include:
- Bloodshot eyes
- Dilated pupils
- Increased heart rate
- Dry mouth
- Impaired coordination
- Slurred speech
- Euphoria
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
It’s important to note that not everyone who exhibits these symptoms is necessarily high. However, if you’re concerned that someone you know may be using drugs, it’s important to talk to them about it. There are many resources available to help people who are struggling with substance abuse.
People Also Ask About How To Know If Someone S High
Is it dangerous to be around someone who is high?
It can be dangerous to be around someone who is high, as they may be unpredictable and aggressive. If you’re concerned about someone who is high, it’s best to stay away from them until they sober up.
What should I do if I think someone is high?
If you think someone is high, the best thing to do is to talk to them about it. Let them know that you’re concerned about them and that you’re there to help. If they’re willing to talk, listen to what they have to say and try to understand their perspective.
Where can I get help for someone who is high?
There are many resources available to help people who are struggling with substance abuse. You can find information on treatment programs, support groups, and other resources by visiting the website of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) or by calling NIDA’s helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
