Featured Video: Overdose Awareness

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Opiate Abuse?

• Shortness of breath
• Dry mouth
• Constricted (small) pupils
• Sudden changes in behavior or actions
• Disorientation
• Cycles of hyper alertness followed by suddenly nodding off
• Droopy appearance, as if extremities are heavy

Behavioral signs of Abuse include:

• Lying or other deceptive behavior
• Avoiding eye contact
• Sleeping
• Increase in slurred, garbled or incoherent speech
• Sudden worsening of performance in school or work, including expulsion or loss of jobs
• Poor hygiene and lacking physical appearance
• Loss of motivation
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Lack of interest in hobbies and favorite activities
• Repeatedly stealing or borrowing money from loved ones
• Unexplained absence of valuables
• Hostile behaviors toward loved ones
• Regular comments indicating a decline in self esteem or worsening body image

Paraphernalia used to prepare, inject or consume heroin:

• • Needles or syringes not used for other medical purposes
  • Burned silver spoons
  • Aluminum foil or gum wrappers with burn marks
  • Missing shoelaces (used as a tie off for injection sites)
  • Straws with burn marks
  • Small plastic bags, with white powdery residue
  • Water pipes or other pipe
  • Wearing long pants or long sleeves to hide needle marks, even in very warm weather