Learning what to look for when someone is using drugs can mean the difference between them causing an accident at work or getting them help if you’re their family. Look for the signs of usage or abuse. Many people don’t know what to look for, so we created a list to help. Beaumont Occupational Services wants help.
Marijuana
Also known as weed, pot, Mary Jane, ganja, grass, and more, marijuana is a smokeable or edible plant that contains THC. THC is a cannabinoid, which is the main active ingredient in marijuana that provides the mental effects. When a person has smoked or consumed marijuana, they will experience a range of symptoms. Some of the more common signs that you can look out for are:
- Red eyes
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty concentrating
- Slower reaction time
- Paranoia
- If you can smell the odor of cannabis on their person
- Food cravings at uncommon times
If you are an employer who takes drug abuse seriously, make sure you use our 24 hour services for your testing needs. We can have a tech sent to your location 24 hours a day, seven days a week to test.
Alcohol
Most adults know alcohol and many have consumed it. But drinking on the job should never be tolerated. Beaumont Occupational Services offers 24 hour testing in case one of your employees gets in an accident or causes one because they were consuming alcohol. If someone on the job has consumed alcohol, you’ll be able to tell by looking for some of the more common signs:
- Loss of motor function
- Slurring of words. Also talking loudly
- Inability to perform complex tasks
- Off balance
- Eyes can appear glossy
- Heavy sweating
- Slower reaction time
The drinker will experience a lot more issues from their perspective, but as an outside observer, you can notice the changes in their body and make the call to not allow them to perform any major duties.
Methamphetamine/Crack/Cocaine
Meth and crack-cocaine are stimulants that cause a plethora of signs for an employer to note if their employee is abusing. These types of drugs are often consumed to get “high.” If you believe one of your employees are abusing these stimulants, we want to help you by getting them tested. If you’re looking for signs of abuse, some of the signs are:
- Excess confidence
- Rapid or rambling speech
- Dilated pupils
- Irritability and paranoia
- Behavioral Changes
- Mouth sores, gum disease, or tooth decay
- Depression if the drugs are wearing off
- Poor hygiene
Theses kind of drugs affect the body is really serious ways. It’s a little easier to spot someone abusing these drugs, but bare in mind that some people do hide their symptoms better than others.
Psychedelics/Hallucinogenics
Examples of these types of drugs are LSD and PCP. People tend to take these drugs for a multitude of reasons. Some believe they are experiencing a higher power or have a spiritual moment. These drugs distort vision and interpretation. Some signs that people are abusing psychedelics are:
- If they appear to have a different interpretation of reality
- Impulsive behavior
- Rapid shifts in emotions
- Involuntary eye movement (PCP)
- Lack of pain sensation (PCP)
- Problem speaking and impaired judgement
These types of drugs can greatly affect judgement and sensation. If an employee is abusing these drugs, it will be significantly easier to spot the behavior, most of the time.
Opioids
These are drugs that are made from opium. This includes heroin, codeine, methadone, and various . There is a really large epidemic across the US where people are abusing these drugs. They could be getting the prescription from a doctor, or perhaps getting them from a friend. These are easily accessible compared to more illegal substances. Some signs that people might be abusing prescription painkillers are:
- Reduced sense of pain
- Depression
- Drowsiness
- Coordination issues
- Constricted pupils
- Needle marks (if injecting heroin)
These are some of the most addictive drugs that are commonly abused today. If you have an employee that you believe is abusing these drugs, have them tested using our 24 hour testing service today. We are completely mobile and will send a testing technician to you when you need.
Benzodiazepines/Barbiturates
These often get lumped into the same boat as Opioids, primarily because it’s more common to call it the Opioid epidemic, but these drugs are abuse at high rates as well. These drugs affect the central nervous system. Barbiturates include phenobarbital and secobarbital. Benzodiazepines include Valium, Xanax, Ativan, Librium, Klonopin, and more. These drugs often give a heavy sense of relaxation, which can be heavily abused. Some signs to look out for are:
- Drowsiness
- Memory issues
- Blackouts
- Lack of coordination
- Slurring speech
- Falling
- Dizziness
- Changes in mood
Synthetic Marijuana/K2/Bath Salts
Synthetic marijuana and K2 are created by spraying the psychoactive chemicals to dried herbs and smoked. These drugs cause some intense reactions in some people and signs of abuse are very easy to note. There are quite a few synthetic drugs that are being manufactured illegally, and they may go by many names, but the effect they are trying to replicate is the high that people get from marijuana. The signs to look for when someone is abusing these drugs are:
- Elevated mood
- Extreme anxiety or irritability
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Violence (Bath salts)
- Panic attacks (Bath salts)
- Psychotic behavior (Bath salts)
Party Drugs
“Club drugs” or “party drugs” are used at concerts or parties, but isn’t limited to those locations. Drugs such as ecstasy, MDMA, GHB, and ketamine are all drugs that are commonly abused in party settings. People who abuse these drugs at work are going to show signs of:
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Dilated Pupils
- Muscle cramping and teeth clenching
- Shaking
- Chills and sweats
- Poor judgement
These drugs are known to heavily affect a person’s personality. They often cause tics and observerable behaviors that are hard to miss. Give us a call at 409-212-9706 if you need 24 hour drug testing for your employees. We will come to your location.
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