How To Tell If Someone Is Under The Influence Of Substances

Knowing how to tell if someone is under the influence of substance use can be a pathway to helping someone out of the problem. It’s never too early to intervene.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 19.7 million American adults (aged 12 and older) battled a substance use disorder in 2017. 74% of these individuals struggled with alcohol use, and 38% struggled with illicit drug use. In 2017, 8.5 million American adults suffered from both mental health disorders and substance use disorders.

Excessive drug use has increased significantly over the current decade. Most of the time, the ones under the influence of drugs or alcohol can’t tell that they’re forming an addiction and how it will be detrimental to their life.

Knowing how to tell if someone is under the influence of substance use can be a pathway to helping someone out of the problem. It’s never too early to intervene.

Drugs and alcohol alter the way a person’s brain functions. As a result, they behave differently, and their performance at work also degrades. Drug and alcohol have both psychological and physiological symptoms.


Physical Symptoms of Substance Use

Some signs commonly observed in people under the influence of drugs and alcohol are:

  • Enlarge pupils

  • Bloodshot eyes

  • Sweating, dizziness, headaches, muscle pain, etc.

  • Change in sleep and eating patterns

  • Change in appearance; sudden weight loss or gain

  • Increased or decreased energy (depends on the drugs used)

  • Poor physical coordination

Behavioral Symptoms

  • Broken speech

  • Involving in risky actions like fighting and criminal activity

  • Poor performance at work or school

  • Sudden change in peer-groups

  • Change in habits or priorities

  • Skipping school or work

  • Asking for money and borrowing frequently

Psychological Symptoms

  • Increased aggression

  • Depression

  • Defensiveness

  • Irritability

  • Anxiousness

  • Paranoia

  • Sudden mood swings

  • Signs of sadness and hostility


You can help a colleague, a friend, or a family member out of the darkness of substance use if you can identify the symptoms early and help them seek help. Let us bring awareness to our neighbors and loved ones.

Samantha Penn