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Suffolk County Substance Abuse Resource Center

A MESSAGE FROM STEVE BELLONE

Picture of Steve Bellone

Prescription and heroin abuse is a serious public health crisis in Suffolk county. As a community we can help put a stop to this by knowing how to identify the warning signs and where to seek help. This webpage will provide information and resources that are vital to combating this serious threat. Together we can help to protect our kids from this vital problem.

Suffolk County Substance Abuse Calendar

A community calendar with upcoming Narcan training and important substance abuse events.

This training meets the New York State Department of Health requirements and includes recognition of opioid overdose, administration of intranasal naloxone, and steps to take until EMS arrives. Participants will receive a certificate of completion and an emergency resuscitation kit that includes naloxone.

Community Drug Awareness and Opioid Overdose Prevention

NARCAN Training Calendar

Signs and Symptoms of Drug Abuse

Signs and Symptoms1

Warning Signs:

The use and abuse of drugs are serious issues that should not be ignored or minimized and we should not sit back and hope they just go away. If left untreated, use and abuse can develop into drug dependence. As a result, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of drug abuse early. If you’re worried that a friend or family member might be abusing drugs, here are some of the warning signs to look for:

  1. Physical and health warning signs of drug abuse
    • Eyes that are bloodshot or pupils that are smaller or larger than normal.
    • Frequent nosebleeds--could be related to snorted drugs (meth or cocaine).
    • Seizures without a history of epilepsy.
    • Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden weight loss or weight gain.
    • Deterioration in personal grooming or physical appearance.
    • Injuries/accidents and person won’t or can’t tell you how they got hurt.
    • Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing.
    • Shakes, tremors, incoherent or slurred speech, impaired or unstable coordination.
  2. Behavioral signs of drug abuse
    • Drop in attendance and performance at work or school; loss of interest in extracurricular activities, hobbies, sports or exercise; decreased motivation.
    • Complaints from co-workers, supervisors, teachers or classmates.
    • Unusual or unexplained need for money or financial problems; borrowing or stealing; missing money or valuables.
    • Silent, withdrawn, engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors.
    • Sudden change in relationships, friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies.
    • Frequently getting into trouble (arguments, fights, accidents, illegal activities).
  3. Psychological warning signs of drug abuse
    • Unexplained change in personality or attitude.
    • Sudden mood changes, irritability, angry outbursts or laughing at nothing.
    • Periods of unusual hyperactivity or agitation.
    • Lack of motivation; inability to focus, appearing lethargic or "spaced out."
    • Appearing fearful, withdrawn, anxious, or paranoid, with no apparent reason.

Signs and symptoms of Drug Dependence:

Drug dependence involves all the symptoms of drug abuse, but also involves another element: physical dependence.

  1. Tolerance: Tolerance means that, over time, you need more drugs to feel the same effects. Do they use more drugs now than they used before? Do they use more drugs than other people without showing obvious signs of intoxication?
  2. Withdrawal: As the effect of the drugs wear off, the person may experience withdrawal symptoms: anxiety or jumpiness; shakiness or trembling; sweating, nausea and vomiting; insomnia; depression; irritability; fatigue or loss of appetite and headaches. Do they use drugs to steady the nerves, stop the shakes in the morning? Drug use to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms is a sign of addiction.
  3. Loss of Control: Using more drugs than they wanted to, for longer than they intended, or despite telling themselves that they wouldn’t do it this time.
  4. Desire to Stop, But Can’t: They have a persistent desire to cut down or stop their drug use, but all efforts to stop and stay stopped, have been unsuccessful.
  5. Neglecting Other Activities: They are spending less time on activities that used to be important to them (hanging out with family and friends, exercising or going to the gym, pursuing hobbies or other interests) because of the use of drugs.
  6. Drugs Take Up Greater Time, Energy and Focus: They spend a lot of time using drugs, thinking about it, or recovering from its effects. They have few, if any, interests, social or community involvements that don’t revolve around the use of drugs.
  7. Continued Use Despite Negative Consequences: They continue to use drugs even though they know it’s causing problems. As an example, person may realize that their drug use is interfering with ability to do their job, is damaging their marriage, making problems worse, or causing health problems, but they continue to use.
1From Portable Document Format, National Council On Alcohol and Drug Dependence, Inc.

If a friend or family member is exhibiting warning signs you may want to encourage them to seek help. The link below will bring you to a comprehensive directory of services and a good starting place is to consult with the community-based outpatient treatment program nearest your home.

Our Health Department’s Division of Community Mental Hygiene Services can offer additional guidance and they can be reached Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at (631) 853-8500.

For assistance after hours, the RESPONSE Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and they can be reached at (631) 751-7500.


Additional Resources

Long Island Prevention Resource Center

Long Island Prevention Resource Center is dedicated to strengthening communities and empowering lives.  As a non-profit resource center we are committed to building and supporting healthy drug-free communities through public education, professional training and the provision of effective tools for those working to prevent drug and alcohol abuse.

New York State’s Prevention Program Site

Suffolk County Government

H. Lee Dennison Bldg

100 Veterans Memorial Hwy
P.O. Box 6100
Hauppauge, NY 11788

Riverhead County Center

County Road 51
Riverhead, NY 11901