Observable Indications of Use

• Slurred Speech
• Unsteady gait
• Loud voice
• Impaired motor control or clumsiness
• Flushed face
• Smell of alcohol on breath

Effects of Use

• Feelings of intoxication
• Sensory alteration
• Anxiety reduction
• Possible increased heart rate

Duration of Effects

• Dose dependent, variable

Signs of Overdose

• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness
• Shallow breathing
• Convulsions
• Shock

Fatal Overdose Possible

Yes, due to respiratory arrest or aspiration of vomit, causing suffocation.

Important

If you suspect a person has overdosed on alcohol, your best course is to call 911 and seek emergency treatment immediately.

Observable Indications of Use

• Rapid speech
• talkativeness
• High energy level/ restlessness
• Dry mouth
• Dilated pupils
• Redness around nose
• Runny nose

Effects of Use

• Increased mental alertness
• Increased physical energy
• Elevated mood/ euphoria
• Loss of appetite
• Extreme weight loss with prolonged use
• Insomnia
• Paranoia
• Increased body temperature
• Increased heart rate
• Elevated blood pressure

Duration of Effects

• 15-30 minutes for powder cocaine snorted
• 5-10 minutes for crack smoked

Signs of Overdose

• Heart palpitations
• Body tremors
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Seizures
• Respiratory arrest

Fatal Overdose Possible

Yes, from heart attack, respiratory arrest, or stroke.

Important

If you suspect a person has overdosed on cocaine, your best course is to call 911 and seek emergency treatment immediately.

Observable Indications of Use

• Bewildered appearance
• May appear out of touch with immediate environment
• Difficulty in speaking
• Garbled speech
• Disorientation
• Loss of coordination
• Easily agitated
• Dilated pupils

Effects of Use

• Poor perception of time, movement, temperature, and distance
• Synesthesia (blending of senses)
• Hallucinations (at high doses)
• Possible nausea
• Visual distortions (at low doses)
• Perspiration or chills
  
• Body tremors
  
• Increased heart rate
  
• Elevated blood pressure
  
• Increased pulse

Duration of Effects

Signs of Overdose

• Trancelike state
• Fearful or terrified state
• Psychotic episode
• PCP only: drooling, eyes flicking up and down, seizures, dizziness, drop in blood pressure and respiration

Fatal Overdose Possible

Yes, PCP only, from cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, or stroke

Important

If you suspect a person has overdosed on PCP, your best course is to call 911 and seek emergency treatment immediately.

Observable Indications of Use

• Droopy eyelids
• Sluggish, drowsy mannerisms
  
• Slowed speech
• Nodding off - periodically slipping into momentary lapses of sleep
• Constricted, “pinpoint” pupils that are not responsive to light
  
• Eyes show little or no responsiveness to light
  
• Possible track marks or infections at injection sites

Effects of Use

• Euphoria
• Pain relief
• Slowed breathing
  
• Slowed pulse rate
  
• Nausea
  
• Lowered blood pressure
  
• Lowered body temperature

Duration of Effects

• Heroin: 4-6 hours
• Methadone: up to 24 hours
• Prescription analgesics: variable

Signs of Overdose

• Clammy skin
  
• Slow, shallow breathing
• Seizures
  
• Coma

Fatal Overdose Possible

Yes, due to respiratory arrest.

Important

If you suspect a person has overdosed on heroin, opiates, or narcotics, your best course is to call 911 and seek emergency treatment immediately.

Observable Indications of Use

• A conspicuous strong, chemical odor
• Paint stains on face, body, or clothing
• Finding a stash of chemical products in unusual locations, like a child's bedroom
  
• Purchasing increased amounts of household chemical products
  
• Drunk, dazed, dizzy demeanor
  
• Staggered gait
  
• Slurred speech
  
• Excitability followed by drowsiness
  
• Red or runny eyes or nose
  
• Rash or sores around the mouth

Effects of Use

• Blurred vision
• Euphoria with hallucinations
• Reduced muscle coordination
• Nausea
• Intense headache
• Oxygen deprivation
• Irregular heartbeat
• Increased heart rate

Duration of Effects

5-60 minutes after sniffing ceases.

Signs of Overdose

• Loss of consciousness
• Respiratory arrest
• Cardiac arrest
• Coma

Fatal Overdose Possible

Yes, from Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome or suffocation.

Important

If you suspect a person has overdosed on inhalants or solvents, your best course is to call 911 and seek emergency treatment immediately.

Observable Indications of Use

• Smell of marijuana smoke on breath and clothes
• Bloodshot eyes
• Talkativeness
• Inappropriate laughter
• Dry mouth
• Dilated pupils

Effects of Use

• Enhanced sensory perception
  
• Relaxed state of well-being
  
• Impaired attention and short-term memory
  
• Impaired motor coordination
  
• Increased appetite
  
• Slowed internal clock
  
• Increased heart rate
  
• Increased blood pressure

Duration of Effects

2-3 hours.

Signs of Overdose

• Anxiety
• Extreme drowsiness
• Slurred speech
• Acute panic reaction

Fatal Overdose Possible

Unknown.

Observable Indications of Use

• Talkativeness
• High energy level/ restlessness
• Dry mouth
  
• Dilated pupils
  
• Sores on skin from scratching at “crank bugs”

Effects of Use

• Loss of appetite
• Increased mental alertness
• Increased physical energy
  
• Insomnia
  
• Paranoia
  
• Distorted perceptions (auditory and visual)
  
• Repetitive motor activity
  
• Sweating (at higher doses)
  
• Palpitations (at higher doses)
  
• Body tremors (at higher doses)
  
• Increased heart rate
  
• Elevated blood pressure

Duration of Effects

8-12 hours.

Signs of Overdose

• Convulsions
• Agitation

Fatal Overdose Possible

Yes, due to cardiac arrest or stroke from high blood pressure.

Important

If you suspect a person has overdosed on methamphetamine or solvents, your best course is to call 911 and seek emergency treatment immediately.

Observable Indications of Use

• Bad breath
• Smell of tobacco
• Shortness of breath
• Nagging cough
• Discolored teeth

Effects of Use

• Increased attention
• Stress and anxiety reduction
• Nausea
• Dizziness

Duration of Effects

30 minutes.

Signs of Overdose

• Nausea, vomiting
• Weakness, dizziness
• Pallor
• Headache

Fatal Overdose Possible

Yes, from poisoning due to accidental ingestion of or skin contact with nicotine containing insecticides, or consumption of tobacco or tobacco juice.

Important

If you suspect a person has overdosed on tobacco or solvents, your best course is to call 911 and seek emergency treatment immediately.