Valley Toxicology Services
P.O. Box 427
West Sacramento, CA 95691
(800) 521-0372 phone
(916) 371-8660 fax
Symptoms of Drug Abusers

If you are concerned about a loved one possibly being involved in drugs, the following information provides many of the most common signs of trouble.
Click on symptom for more info!
  • Amphetamine
  • Excitability; rapid and unclear speech; restlessness; tremors; insomnia; sweating; dry mouth and lips; bad breath; itchy nose; dilated pupils; increased pulse and blood press; hallucinations; psychoses
  • Barbiturates
  • Similar to alcohol intoxication; drowsiness; confusion; incoordination; tremors; depressed pulse rate and blood pressure; mildly dilated pupils; respiratory depression.
  • Chloral Hydrate
  • Similar to strong alcohol intoxication; slurred speech; drowsiness; confusion; incoordination; respiratory depression.
  • Cocaine
  • Excitability; anxiety; talkativeness; increased pulse rate and blood pressure; dilated pupils; headache; nausea and vomiting; hallucinations; may be violent and dangerous.
  • Ethyl Alcohol
  • Slurred speech; incoordination; confusion; tremors; drowsiness; agitation; nausea and vomiting; respiratory depression.
  • Heroin
  • Lethargy; drowsiness; confusion; euphoria; slurred speech; flushing of skin on face, neck and chest; nausea and vomiting; chronic constipation; constricted pupils; respiratory depression; scars or abscesses at injection sites.
  • LSD
  • Trance-like state; anxiety; confusion; tremors; euphoria; depression; hallucinations; dilated pupils; increased pulse rate and blood pressure; psychoses; possible chromosomal damage.
  • Marijuana
  • Mood swings; euphoria; excitability; hallucinations; increased appetite; dryness of mouth; increased pulse rate and blood pressure; dilated pupils; nausea and vomiting; odor of burned rope in breath.
  • Mescaline
  • Resemble LSD; anxiety; confusion; tremors; euphoria; depression; hallucinations; dilated pupils; increased pulse rate and blood pressure; psychoses.
  • Morphine
  • Similar to heroin; lethargy; drowsiness; confusion; euphoria; slurred speech, flushing of skin on face, neck and chest; nausea and vomiting; chronic constipation; constricted pupils; respiratory depression; scars or abscesses at injection sites.
  • Solvants (Organic)
  • Similar to alcohol intoxication; slurred speech; blurred vision; incoordination; ringing in ears; nausea and vomiting; hallucinations; psychoses; liver, nerve and blood damage; respiratory depression.