Although each person’s experience with drug misuse is unique, some general signs and indicators for opioid use disorder helps identify a person in need.

Behavioral signs may include:

  1. Avoiding family or friends
  2. changing friends or mixing with new people
  3. Frequently going out of home, on a regular basis, without a valid reason
  4. Rapid mood changes and altered sleep cycle
  5. Isolation or secretive behavior
  6. Lower grades at school or impaired performance at work
  7. Financial hardship leading to stealing or snatching behaviour

The physical signs could include:

  1. Tiredness or drowsiness
  2. Increase or decrease in appetite
  3. Weight loss or gain
  4. Burnt or scarred finger tips
  5. Wearing long sleeves or hiding the arms
  6. Flu-like symptoms, such as running nose, watering eyes, and shaking
  7. Constipation during intoxication and loose stool during non-availability of drugs.

*Equipment for opioid use around the house, such as syringes, empty drug vials, packets with powder residue, aluminium foils, and missing or burnt spoons

*When in doubt, accompany the person in need, to an addiction psychiatrist for behavioral or psychological assessment and possible remedies or treatment