Signs of heroin abuse

The Prestera Center, a mental health facility that provides addiction treatment, lists these symptoms as indicators that someone may be using heroin. The symptoms are not proof of drug use.

Symptoms of use: Lethargy, drowsiness, euphoria, nausea, constipation, constricted pupils, slowed breathing, blue lips, rattling breathing, irregular heartbeat, restlessness, decreased appetite, along with going back and forth between feeling alert and drowsy.

Behavior signs: Loss of enthusiasm and involvement, withdrawal from hobbies and sports, reluctance to introduce new friends, staying away from home/school for unexplained periods of time, irritability and overreaction to criticism, loss of interest and deterioration in quality of school work, unusual requests for money, sudden changes in mood or behavior, devious and manipulative behavior, lack of pride in personal appearance, frequent unexplained phone calls and loss of concentration.