12 Common Symptoms of Being High

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Popular drugs and their side-effects so you can tell if someone's been using

Co-authored by Tiffany Douglass, MA and Eric McClure

Last Updated: October 16, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Common Signs That Someone is High
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• Common Drugs & Their Side Effects
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• What to Do if You Suspect Someone Is Abusing Drugs
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• Expert Q&A
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• Tips
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• Warnings

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If you're worried someone you care about is using drugs, there are signs of using that you can look for in order to make an educated guess before speaking to them directly about your concerns. To help you spot the signs that someone is high, we spoke to Tiffany Douglass, founder of Wellness Retreat Recovery Center. Keep reading for tips on how to get to the bottom of your loved one's behavior.

How to Tell if Someone is High: Quick Tips

While every drug has its own unique symptoms and side effects, there are some common signs someone is high that you can look out for, including red or dilated pupils, jaw clenching, shaky hands, fast heart rate, and erratic or out-of-character behavior.

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Section 1 of 3:

Common Signs That Someone is High

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1. 1
   Red, dilated, or tired eyes Smoking or using drugs can cause red or watery eyes. Pupils that are constricted or dilated can be a sign of narcotics, stimulants, or club drugs. Check for rapid or unnecessary or odd eye movements. Many involuntary eye movements, or nystagmus, are symptomatic of many kinds of drug use.

   • If someone is wearing sunglasses inside or after dark, they might be trying to hide red or otherwise affected eyes. This could also be a sign they’re nursing a hangover from drug use, since light can irritate you when you have a headache.
   • Douglass points out that someone who is high on painkillers may have trouble keeping their eyes open.
2. 2
   Excessive swallowing, lip-licking, or jaw clenching Swallowing and lip-licking can be symptoms of dry mouth, which may be a sign of drug use. Frequent clenching of the teeth or twisting of the jaw might mean that someone is high on club drugs.

   • Ecstasy and methamphetamine can cause jaw-clenching.
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3. 3
   Bloody, runny, or congested nose A bloody nose with no other apparent cause can mean that someone has snorted a drug, such as cocaine, meth, or a narcotic. A runny or congested nose can have many causes but combined with other symptoms it could signify that someone is high. Frequent rubbing of the nose can also be a sign.

   • Someone who has snorted a drug might have powder on their nostrils or upper lip.
4. 4
   Shaking hands Shaking hands can be a sign of club drugs, inhalants, or hallucinogens. Palm sweat can be a sign of intoxication.
5. 5
   Abnormal heart rate, pulse, or blood pressure If you feel safe touching the person in question, take their pulse and check their temperature. Cold, sweaty skin is one sign of drug use. An increase or decrease in blood pressure, an increased heart rate, or slowed breathing can all be signs of drug use.

   • Some drugs can cause chest pain and heart issues. Seek medical help for someone who seems to be experiencing pain in their chest.
6. 6
   Track marks, darkened veins, or lesions People who use drugs such as methamphetamine, bath salts, or heroin often inject their drugs, which leaves track marks. Check for darkened veins, lesions, and bruising around the veins. Lesions that are open and in the process of healing can be signs of recent drug use.

   • Sores or a rash on the mouth or nose can also be a sign of habitual drug use.
7. 7
   Odd or unnatural odors Someone who has smoked marijuana might smell sweet, smoky, or skunky. A chemical or metallic smell might mean they inhaled a toxic household product, such as glue or paint thinner. Sulfuric or ammonia odors usually indicate methamphetamine abuse.

   • A smell of incense, air freshener, or powerful perfume or cologne might be intended to cover up the smell of a drug that has been smoked.
8. 8
   Erratic or slurring speech Someone who is high may speak too much or too quickly. Alternatively, they may have basic problems speaking. Douglass says that someone who slurs their words but does not smell like alcohol might be high.

   • If the person you are speaking with appears to have difficulty concentrating or following the conversation, or if their thinking is unusually paranoid, deluded, or panicked, they might be high.
9. 9
   Odd or uncoordinated movements Someone high on drugs might react slowly. They may even be nonreactive or unresponsive to typical stimuli. If someone appears not to experience pain, they might be high. Physical coordination that seems to be rapidly deteriorating is a sign of drug use.

   • Someone moving as if they’re drunk, but without the smell of alcohol, is possibly high.
   • A drunk person who seems to be unusually impaired might also have taken drugs or have been drugged.
10. 10
    Extreme moods and energy levels Depending on the drug, a high person might be euphoric, relaxed, anxious and agitated, exhilarated, overconfident, or aggressive. Look for an unusual intensity or a quickly changing mood. If you know someone well and they’re behaving in an uncharacteristic way, that could be a sign of drug use.

    • Sleeplessness and restlessness can be signs that someone is high, as can drowsiness. If you cannot rouse a "sleepy" person, they might have passed out and need medical attention. Douglass notes that this is especially common among people who abuse pain medications or opiates.
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    Out-of-character behavior If you know someone well, you can tell if they are exhibiting unusually high sociability, lack of inhibition, poor judgment, or an increased or decreased appetite or sex drive. Inappropriate laughter and intense snacking are common.

    • Someone high on a harder drug might hallucinate, seeing or sensing things that are not there. Delirious, psychotic, or violent behavior all might be caused by drug use.
    • Some drugged people appear to have undergone a total personality change.
    • Douglass says, “Has this person started engaging in behaviors that are also new and different, has this person's work suffered? Are they going out of their house less?” If so, they could be abusing drugs.
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    Possession of drug paraphernalia While pipes, rolling papers, syringes, and rubber tubing might be easily recognized as drug paraphernalia, the unwarranted presence of household objects can also indicate recent drug use. Bent spoons, eye droppers, and cotton balls may be indicative of narcotic use. Razors, handheld mirrors, and tiny spoons might indicate the use of stimulants.

    • Pacifiers, candy necklaces, and lollipops may be used by people on club drugs, such as ecstasy, that cause the jaw to clench.
    • Don’t search someone’s belongings if you aren’t their guardian or parent.
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Section 2 of 3:

Common Drugs & Their Side Effects

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1. 1
   Marijuana Commonly known as weed, marijuana’s active psychoactive agent is THC. Symptoms of being high on marijuana include:

   • Dry mouth
   • Glassy or bloodshot eyes
   • Increased appetite
   • Impaired motor skills
   • A sense of euphoria
   • Fatigue
2. 2
   Opioids Opioids (aka opiates or painkillers) include popular prescription drugs like morphine, codeine, oxymorphone, Vicodin, and hydrocodone. It also includes the street drug fentanyl. Symptoms include:

   • Small pupils
   • Slowed breathing
   • Drowsiness
   • Loss of appetite
   • Flu-like symptoms (nausea, vomiting, sweating, shaking, and cold spells)
   • Non-responsiveness
3. 3
   Stimulants Stimulants include amphetamines like Adderall and Dexedrine, methylphenidates, like Concerta and Ritalin, and most diet pills. The side effects include:

   • Weight loss
   • Restlessness
   • Fidgeting
   • Increased heart rate and blood pressure
   • Motor tics
   • Insomnia
   • Scattered or hyper-focused thinking
4. 4
   Cocaine We’re also going to cover crack cocaine here, although none of the nose-related symptoms are relevant for crack. The core symptoms include:

   • Increased heart rate and blood pressure
   • Insomnia
   • Loss of appetite
   • Scattered thinking
   • Nasal drips, bloody noses, and nostril damage
   • Anxiety and paranoia
5. 5
   Hallucinogens Popular hallucinogens include LSD, PCP, peyote, and mushrooms. This class of drugs can have radically different side effects from person to person, but symptoms generally include:

   • Visual or auditory hallucinations
   • Alterations to time and depth perception
   • Euphoria and/or paranoia
   • Dizziness, sweating, and dilated pupils
   • Inability to feel pain (PCP only)
6. 6
   Heroin Heroin is synthesized from opium poppies, so many of the side effects are identical to opiates (which are also made from opium poppies). Symptoms include:

   • Euphoria
   • Loss of appetite
   • Extreme fatigue
   • Itching
   • Skin lesions
   • Track marks and skin infections
7. 7
   Methamphetamine Methamphetamine, also known as meth, crank, or speed, is a unique stimulant that warrants its own coverage here. Common side effects include:

   • Loss of appetite
   • Insomnia
   • Paranoia
   • Scattered thinking, confusion, and trouble organizing thoughts
   • Memory loss
   • Increased heart rate, tremors, and weight loss
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Section 3 of 3:

What to Do if You Suspect Someone Is Abusing Drugs

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1. 1
   Ask them about their drug use. Even if you have definitive proof they’re using, it won’t matter if they refuse to be honest about what’s going on. Ask them to be straight with you, share the evidence you have, and seek to understand—not blame or fight.

   • “Look, I can tell something is going on with you. Are you using drugs?”
   • “I know something is going on and I suspect it’s drug use of some kind. Are you using again?”
   • “I promise I won’t be mad, but are you abusing drugs? You’ve been very scatterbrained and sleepy lately in a way that isn’t like you.”
2. 2
   Express concern in a non-judgmental way and offer help. Getting angry, shouting, or assigning blame will only make them shut down and feel bad (which could lead to more drug use). Tell them that you love them, you understand they need help, and that you’re happy to help them navigate this process. Whether it’s a ride to a rehab center or help developing a plan, just let them know you’re there for them.

   • “You know I love you, but we should address this. How can I help you get the help that you need?”
   • “Are you ready to get some help? I’ll support you in any way that I can.”
   • “This really shouldn’t continue. What do I need to do to get you back into recovery?”
3. 3
   Support them in their recovery. If your loved one is ready to get help, do whatever you can to help them make it through this difficult process. Give them rides to therapy or the doctor’s office, offer them a place to sleep if they need one, and encourage them in whatever way you’re able to.

   • What if they won’t get help? In this case, the best option is often just cutting the person off. It can be extremely painful, but sometimes an addict will only change if they hit rock bottom—which often involves losing access to their loved ones.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  How can you recognize if someone is high on painkillers?

  

  Tiffany Douglass, MA
  Founder, Wellness Retreat Recovery Center

  Tiffany Douglass is the Founder of Wellness Retreat Recovery Center, a JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) accredited drug and alcohol treatment program based in San Jose, California. She is also the Executive Director for Midland Tennessee at JourneyPure. She has over ten years of experience in substance abuse treatment and was appointed a Global Goodwill Ambassador in 2019 for her efforts in residential addiction treatment. Tiffany earned a BA in Psychology from Emory University in 2004 and an MA in Psychology with an emphasis on Organization Behavior and Program Evaluation from Claremont Graduate University in 2006.

  

  Tiffany Douglass, MA

  Founder, Wellness Retreat Recovery Center

  Expert Answer

  Someone who is high on painkillers may slur their speech, have trouble keeping their eyes open, and fall asleep during regular activities. You may also notice that they're not leaving the house as often or that their work is suffering.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  Not Helpful 13 Helpful 26
• Question

  How do you help someone who has an addiction?

  

  Tiffany Douglass, MA
  Founder, Wellness Retreat Recovery Center

  Tiffany Douglass is the Founder of Wellness Retreat Recovery Center, a JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) accredited drug and alcohol treatment program based in San Jose, California. She is also the Executive Director for Midland Tennessee at JourneyPure. She has over ten years of experience in substance abuse treatment and was appointed a Global Goodwill Ambassador in 2019 for her efforts in residential addiction treatment. Tiffany earned a BA in Psychology from Emory University in 2004 and an MA in Psychology with an emphasis on Organization Behavior and Program Evaluation from Claremont Graduate University in 2006.

  

  Tiffany Douglass, MA

  Founder, Wellness Retreat Recovery Center

  Expert Answer

  Don't confront them about their addiction. Instead, sit down with them and tell them how you feel. Explain your concerns and try to engage them in a conversation. They'll be more likely to listen to you and let you help them.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

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Tips

• If you think someone is struggling with addiction, avoid confronting them head-on and telling them they should or need to stop since they might just get defensive. Instead, talk about how their addiction makes you feel so they're more likely to engage with the conversation.
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• No one symptom on its own is proof that someone is high. Look for combinations of symptoms to confirm that someone is high.
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• Some mental and physical impairments can mimic the effects of drugs. Slurred speech, unusual movement, and shifting moods can all be caused by things other than drugs.
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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

• If I'm trying to tell whether someone is high, the biggest giveaway is their mood. If they're in an unusually good mood, careless about social etiquette, eating more than normal, or talking more than normal, these can all be signs of intoxication.
• Try not to assume that someone is high—they might have been doing something else that has made them appear as if they're high. If this is the case, they could be offended if you accuse them.
• Remember, some people are just really good at hiding that they are high. Sometimes you won't be able to tell, even after looking for all the usual signs.

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Warnings

• Confronting someone who is behaving erratically can be dangerous. Remove yourself from any situation with someone who is making you nervous.
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• Intervene if you have reason to believe someone has been drugged. People who appear unusually drunk (such as extremely intoxicated after only one drink) and/or are being led somewhere by someone else might have been drugged with Rohypnol, or "roofie." Call an ambulance and/or the police or campus security.
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• Seek emergency medical help if you have any other reason to suspect that someone has overdosed or is in need of physical or psychological help as a result of drug use.
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• Seek emergency medical help if someone passes out, has trouble breathing, has a seizure or convulsions, or complains of chest pain or pressure.
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