These are the First Signs Someone is Shooting Up

Do you think you can identify the telling signs someone is shooting up? If so, you may be able to help your loved one.

Although using ice (meth, glass, crystal) in any way is a serious risk to your health and mental well-being shooting ice is thought to be the most dangerous and fastest way to addiction. The first signs someone is shooting up are very clear: injecting ice into veins produces an intense “rush” of euphoria that is over quickly, and is followed by a “coming down” or “crash” period.

This makes the user’s mood change drastically because they will experience strong and unpleasant sensations, thus necessitating another injection to keep the euphoric sensations going. Users can engage in a pattern of injecting themselves very often for days on end and this can very quickly lead to addiction and dependence.

This kind of abuse also leads to visible physical signs of shooting up. These signs include:

  • Injection site marks
  • Track marks (unusually dark colored veins extending down the arm)
  • Collapsed veins

Because it is common for users to reuse and share needles, other visible physical signs of shooting up can be skin infections. Usually the signs someone is shooting up appear on the arm,  however,  users can inject in other locations throughout the body.

Abusers may also try to cover their bodies up in an attempt to hide their abuse and may seem to wear unseasonable clothing, especially in the summer. Because users may lose their interest in food and sleep during binges, signs someone is shooting up can also include rapid weight-loss and looking exhausted.

If you believe a loved one is developing an addiction to drugs, call us today at (877)-855-3470

The telltale signs of ice use are very well known and they include a variety of behavioral and health problems. Signs someone is shooting up are different depending on whether the user is actively high in in-between highs.

While high users seem as if they have an abundance of energy: they may speak very fast and sometimes exhibit unusual strength. They may also seem euphoric and show a decreased need for food and sleep. Violent behavior with strong feelings of rage can also be evident as another telltale sign of ice use. Users may also lose touch with reality while being intoxicated and this could manifest itself with strong paranoia, hallucinations, and strange beliefs or delusions.

Other tell-tale signs of ice use to happen between highs. These can look very different from the signs present when a user is actively intoxicated and can include:

  • Low energy
  • Suicidal thoughts and actions
  • Feelings of depression and anxiety
  • Inability to feel pleasure
  • Marked slowing down in actions and speech. (these may be particularly intense if the user is in full withdrawal from ice)

Longer terms use can show signs that someone is shooting up which include many health issues. Frequent users of ice have a higher rate of contracting serious diseases like HIV, and any other illness that can be transmitted through contact with blood. They also suffer from a wide variety of cardiovascular problems and cognitive and memory problems.

Another category of signs that someone is shooting up happen interpersonally. If someone has a problem shooting ice the people closest to them can usually notice fairly quickly that something is seriously wrong.

Someone can seem as if their personality has changed overnight. The quality of their relationships may decrease sharply and they may become secretive or argumentative. If the person begins to steal, lie or betray the trust of loved ones it could be a sign that they have an uncontrolled ice addiction.

One or a few of these signs that someone is shooting up doesn’t necessarily mean that someone has a serious addiction problem but, ice is a very potent drug and injecting it creates the most potent effect so, if several of these signs are noticed in the same person it may well be cause for serious concern and action.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.

About the Author

is a proud alumni member of WhiteSands Treatment. After living a life of chaos, destruction and constant let downs, Mark was able to make a complete turnaround that sparked a new way of life. He is serious about his recovery along with helping others. At WhiteSands Treatment, we offer support to you in your homes or when you are out living in your daily lives.