How to spot a user even close to home... by King Steelo

There are many ways on identifying a substance abuser. The obvious is from their appearance---but don't let it fool you because this mostly pertains to users who have given up and their drug or drugs of choice have taken complete control over them. They smell, their eyes are bloodshot and shiny, pupils dilated, their clothes are dirty and they walk around begging for money. Its easy to avoid these junkies.

On the other hand it is harder to identify users who are still in the closet. It could be your kids, family members, friends, co-workers, etc... You must tune into their attitudes and actions. Are they quick to argue or do they isolate themselves? Do they always make excuses when not holding up their end of responsibility or do they just lack motivation? Most of all---you can identify a user from the company they keep. Birds of a feather flock together, so users find each other, hang out and swear its good because they can relate to each other. Guilty by association maybe an assumption but its on you to quickly identify these characteristics and help your loved one by being a support system'

Who has the problem? You have the problem if you don't do something to help a substance abuser. We're all quick to point the finger but what happens when it hits close to home. Substance abuse doesn't discriminate - it will victimize anybody. Just imagine---help is just a phone call away or right next door. Helping someone pick up the pieces proves you can be a resolution to the problem instead of just identifying it...