Signs That Someone Is Snorting Drugs

If you’re worried a loved one may be engaging in drug use, specifically by snorting, you’re not alone. Snorting drugs is common when engaging in drug use, especially when addicted. Being able to know the symptoms and signs can be crucial in getting the individual the help they need to live a life free of addiction.

A commonly snorted drug is cocaine, but many different drugs can be snorted. Knowing which drugs are snorted, the physical and behavioral signs of snorting, the dangers of snorting, and how to get help is a great start when dealing with possible drug addiction.  

Behavioral Signs of Snorting Drugs

While there are physical signs of snorting drugs (see below), differences in behavior can be just as telling. The most common to look out for is frequent trips to a room alone, usually a bathroom, and for an abnormal amount of time. If in the bathroom, you can also be aware if they leave the water running for a long time to hide the noise of them snorting.

Most telling is their state of behavior before and after their frequent trips. Although varying on the type of drug snorted, the individual will most likely either be very excited and talkative (the work of a stimulant) or appear lethargic and relaxed (a depressant).

Of course, there are other general behavioral signs to look out for in drug use. These can include an individual not meeting everyday responsibilities at work or home, withdrawing from their community, obvious physical issues, and money issues, among others.

Physical Signs of Snorting Drugs 

If you’re extremely worried a loved one is snorting drugs, there are physical symptoms that can be hard to miss. Due to snorting being ingesting drugs through the nose, the affected area is difficult to hide.

Common signs of drug snorting include:

• Frequent snorting or sniffing
• Constantly stuffy or runny nose
• Abnormally colored nasal discharge
• Common nose bleeds
• Ongoing sinus infections
• Loss of smell

Over time, snorting drugs can also damage the nose, injuring the tissues such as the septum and the nasal bridge. If not treated, the damage can be so severe that your nasal bridge may collapse or lead to a perforated septum, which requires surgery to repair.

Why Do People Start Snorting Drugs 

It’s uncommon for drug users to begin using by snorting drugs. More typically, they start using recreationally and ingest through oral methods. Unfortunately, due to how the brain works, the more a person consumes a drug, the more they need it to feel its desired effects, often leading to drug addiction.

When a person’s tolerance to their drug of choice builds, they usually start to look at different options to feel more of its effects. This is when snorting drugs usually begins. Snorting a little bit can be the same as eating a lot of the drug, which is appealing to many users. Additionally, the effects present much quicker – sometimes as soon as two minutes as opposed to thirty when taken orally. The high doesn’t last as long as it would if ingested by the mouth, but snorting is still commonly preferred as the high is more noticeable and immediately felt.