The warning signs of drug and alcohol addiction are changes you can see over weeks: new mood swings, secrecy, lying, missing money, new friends, falling interest in family and work, changes in the body, needing more of the substance, withdrawal when it stops, and not being able to quit even after harm. Several of these together matter more than any single one.
Most families notice something is wrong long before they say it out loud. A son who used to laugh now snaps. Money goes missing. His eyes look different. You tell yourself it is stress, exams, a phase.
This guide helps you tell the difference between a hard phase and a real problem. It covers the 10 main warning signs, the physical signs of drug and alcohol use, चिट्टा के लक्षण, शराब की लत के लक्षण, and the signs that your son is using drugs. We also explain, in simple words, why addiction happens, and what to do next.
This guide is published by Eshan Charitable Trust, a registered private charitable trust and not a government centre. We have included ourselves where it is relevant. It is based on publicly available information and is general education, not a diagnosis. Please see a doctor or psychiatrist for the person you are worried about, and confirm details before any admission.
of registered cases at the Bhuntar addiction treatment facility in Kullu involve heroin, mostly from Una and Kangra. Source: The Tribune
NDPS cases recorded in Himachal from January to November 2025, about 28% more than in 2024, as reported by Outlook India from HP Police data.
Chitta is not a far away problem. It is in our valleys, and it often starts quietly. The earlier a family notices, the easier treatment becomes. If you want to understand the full picture of treatment options, see our guide on government nasha mukti kendra in Himachal Pradesh.
10 Warning Signs of Drug and Alcohol Addiction
No single sign proves addiction. Teenagers change, and adults have bad weeks. But when you see three or four of these together, and they last for weeks, it is time to talk and get a doctor involved. We have added a line in Hinglish under each one.
- Sudden changes in mood and behaviourIrritable one day, too quiet the next, angry over small things. Mood swings that are new for him or her.Achanak gussa, chidchidapan ya bilkul chup ho jaana.
- Losing interest in family, studies and workSkipping college or work, falling marks, dropping sports and hobbies he once loved.Padhai, kaam aur khel se mann hat jaana.
- Secrecy and lyingLocked doors, vague answers about where he was, phone kept hidden, stories that do not add up.Jhooth bolna aur cheezein chhupana.
- Money problemsAsking for money again and again, cash or gold missing at home, things sold, new loans from friends.Ghar se paise ya saman gayab hona.
- A new circle of friendsOld friends gone, new people you have not met, long hours out and late nights without a clear reason.Naye dost aur der raat tak bahar rehna.
- Changes in the bodyWeight loss or gain, red or glazed eyes, very small or very large pupils, bad sleep or too much sleep, shaking hands.Aankhein, wazan aur neend mein badlaav.
- Neglecting hygiene and responsibilitiesNot bathing, dirty clothes, missing family functions, not paying bills, not showing up at work.Safai aur zimmedariyon ki andekhi.
- Needing more to feel the sameWhat used to be enough no longer works. He uses more, or more often. Doctors call this tolerance.Pehle jitni matra ab kaafi nahi lagti.
- Withdrawal when the substance stopsShaking, sweating, vomiting, body pain, anxiety, trouble sleeping and strong cravings when the substance is missing.Nasha na milne par kaampna, ghabrahat aur bechaini.
- Cannot stop even after harmHe promises to quit, tries, and goes back. Health, job, money and family suffer, but the use continues.Nuksaan dekhkar bhi na chhod paana.
Remember: These signs are the same for chitta, alcohol, tablets, charas and injecting drugs. What differs is the body signs, which we cover next.
5 Physical Signs of Drug Use
The body often shows what the mouth hides. Different substances show different signs, so look at the whole picture.
- Pupils that look wrongVery small "pinpoint" pupils can go with opioids like heroin and chitta. Very large pupils can go with stimulants and some other drugs.
- Red, glazed or watery eyesBloodshot eyes are common with charas and ganja, but also with poor sleep, so do not judge from this alone.
- Sudden weight loss or poor appetiteVisible thinning over a few weeks, with clothes becoming loose and no clear illness.
- Drowsiness, nodding off or very poor sleepFalling asleep mid sentence or sitting, or staying awake for days and then crashing.
- Marks, smells and sicknessNeedle marks on arms, long sleeves in warm weather, a runny nose and yawning when the drug wears off, or a smell of smoke or chemicals on clothes.
चिट्टा के लक्षण: कैसे पहचानें
चिट्टा हेरोइन का स्थानीय नाम है, और अक्सर इसमें दूसरी चीज़ें मिली होती हैं। इसी वजह से इसकी मात्रा का अंदाज़ा लगाना बहुत मुश्किल है और ओवरडोज़ का ख़तरा ज़्यादा रहता है। चिट्टा लेने वाले में ये संकेत दिख सकते हैं:
- आँखों की पुतलियाँ बहुत छोटी दिखना
- बार बार झपकी आना, बात करते करते सिर झुक जाना
- बहुत सुस्ती, चुप रहना और काम में मन न लगना
- भूख कम होना और वज़न गिरना
- शरीर में खुजली और कब्ज़
- बाजू या टाँगों पर इंजेक्शन के निशान, गर्मी में भी पूरी बाजू के कपड़े
- नशा उतरने पर बदन दर्द, जम्हाई, नाक बहना, पसीना और बेचैनी
- पैसों की बार बार माँग और घर से सामान गायब होना
अगर कोई जगाने पर भी न उठे, साँस बहुत धीमी हो या होंठ नीले पड़ने लगें, तो इंतज़ार न करें। तुरंत 108 या 112 पर कॉल करें। चिट्टा छुड़वाने के लिए डॉक्टर की निगरानी वाला डिटॉक्स सबसे सुरक्षित रास्ता है। चिट्टा छोड़ने के बारे में हमारा यह लेख भी पढ़ें: chitta kaise chhode.
Physical Signs of Alcohol Use and Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol leaves marks on the body, some quickly and some after years of heavy drinking.
Seen in the short term
- Smell of alcohol on breath or skin
- Red face and bloodshot eyes
- Slurred speech and unsteady walking
- Poor balance, drowsiness, vomiting
Seen with long term heavy use
- Shaking hands, especially in the morning
- Puffy face and a swollen belly
- Stomach pain and poor appetite
- Yellow eyes or skin, which needs a doctor urgently
Heavy drinking can harm the liver, stomach and heart, and it makes depression and anxiety worse. If you see yellow eyes, black stools or vomiting blood, go to a hospital the same day.
Signs Your Son Is Using Drugs
Parents in Himachal tell us the same story: "We saw it, but did not want to believe it." Here are the signs that matter most when it is your son, especially a teenager or young man.
- Coming home late, or staying out at night with vague reasons
- Asking for money often, or money and valuables going missing
- A closed door, a hidden phone and anger when asked simple questions
- Marks falling, college or work missed, no interest in sports or plans
- New friends he does not introduce, and old friends dropped
- Strange items in his room: burnt foil, small plastic pouches, syringes, cut straws
- Red eyes, thin body, long sleeves in warm weather, constant sleepiness
- Promises to stop that keep breaking
- Pick a quiet time when he is sober and you are calm.
- Start with care: "I am worried about you." Not "You are ruining the family."
- Say what you saw, not what you think he is.
- Do not beat, lock, shout or send people to drag him away. It pushes the problem deeper.
- Offer a doctor visit as the first step, not a centre.
Our guide on what to do when someone at home is using chitta has more steps for families.
Why Addiction Happens: A Simple Look at the Psychology
Many families ask: "Why can't he just stop?" The honest answer is that addiction changes the brain.
Drugs and alcohol trigger the brain's reward system and make the person feel good, calm or numb. With repeated use, the brain adapts. The person needs more to feel the same, and everyday things like food, friends and work start to feel flat. Over time the brain starts treating the substance as a need, and the part that controls decisions and impulses becomes weaker. That is why a person can truly want to quit and still go back.
What makes it more likely
- Stress, loneliness or unresolved pain
- Depression or anxiety left untreated
- Friends who use, and easy supply
- Starting young, when the brain is still developing
- Family history of addiction
What helps recovery
- Safe medical detox
- Counselling and group support
- Family involvement, not blame
- A routine with yoga, sleep and purpose
- Aftercare and a relapse prevention plan
It is a health condition, not a weakness of character. We explain more in our article on the psychology of addiction, and daily calming routines in yoga for stress and anxiety.
What to Do Next If You See These Signs
- Stay calm and write down what you seeDates, behaviours and physical changes. A clear list helps the doctor.
- Talk to him with careOne calm conversation is worth more than ten angry ones.
- Call a free helplineRing 14446 (Nasha Mukt Bharat) or 14416 (Tele-MANAS), both free.
- Get a medical assessmentA psychiatrist can check what he uses, how heavily, and whether detox needs supervision. Mixed use and alcohol especially need a doctor.
- Choose the right level of careSome people can be treated through OPD. Others need residential treatment. Compare choices in our guide on the best rehabilitation centre in Himachal Pradesh and our page on rehab centre fees in Himachal Pradesh.
- Stay involved after detoxDetox clears the body. The months after are where real recovery is built.
Emergency Signs: When You Should Not Wait
The World Health Organization says an opioid overdose can be recognised by three signs together:
Call 108 or 112 immediately, turn him on his side if he is breathing, and stay with him until help arrives.
Also go to a hospital without delay for seizures, confusion, hallucinations, chest pain, repeated vomiting, or any talk of ending his life. In that case you can also call Tele-MANAS on 14416.
Help for Addiction in Kangra and Nearby Areas
Eshan Charitable Trust is a registered charitable trust near FCI Godown, Tanda Kholi, Kangra, close to Dr RPGMC Tanda. We are a private trust, not a government centre. Our rule is simple: proper psychiatrist led treatment at a fee an ordinary Himachali family can plan for.
- Full time psychiatrist and medically supervised detox
- Daily one to one counselling, group sessions, yoga and family counselling
- Residential care for men aged 18 and above, up to 180 days, with aftercare
- No beating, no chains, no locked rooms and no forced pick up
- HP State Mental Health Authority, Shimla: Provisional Registration Sr. No. 193. The certificate can be inspected at the centre.
| Plan | Room and diet | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Residential Care | Shared room, standard diet | ₹12,500 per month |
| B Caring | Deluxe room, twin sharing | ₹25,000 per month |
| A Caring | Private room, single occupancy | ₹40,000 per month |
| Medically supervised detox | Once, at admission | ₹6,000 one time |
The treatment is the same in every plan. If ₹12,500 is still out of reach, please call and tell us honestly. We reduce fees where we genuinely can. Read our de-addiction treatment page, or find a centre near you: nasha mukti kendra in Kangra, rehab centre in Palampur, rehab centre in Dharamshala, rehab centre in Nurpur, rehab centre in Baijnath, rehab centre in Mandi and nasha mukti kendra in Chamba.
Get directions to our centre in Tanda Kholi, Kangra. Also see our frequently asked questions.
Questions Families Ask: सवाल जो परिवार पूछते हैं
Warning signs of drug and alcohol addiction kya hote hain?
The main warning signs are sudden mood and behaviour changes, secrecy, lying, money problems, new friends, losing interest in family and work, physical changes like weight loss or red eyes, needing more of the substance, and withdrawal when it is stopped. नशे की लत के मुख्य संकेत हैं: स्वभाव में अचानक बदलाव, झूठ बोलना, पैसों की कमी, दोस्तों का बदलना, सेहत का गिरना और नशा रुकने पर बेचैनी या काँपना। One sign alone does not prove addiction, but several together for weeks need attention.
चिट्टा के लक्षण क्या होते हैं?
चिट्टा लेने वाले में अक्सर आँखों की पुतलियाँ बहुत छोटी दिखती हैं, वह बार बार झपकी में चला जाता है, बहुत सुस्त रहता है, भूख और वज़न कम होता है, और नशा उतरने पर बदन दर्द, जम्हाई, पसीना और बेचैनी होती है। बाजू पर इंजेक्शन के निशान या गर्मी में भी पूरी बाजू के कपड़े भी एक संकेत हो सकते हैं। अगर साँस धीमी हो या वह उठे ही नहीं, तो तुरंत 108 पर कॉल करें।
शराब की लत के लक्षण क्या हैं?
सुबह उठते ही पीने की तलब, छिपकर पीना, हाथ काँपना, पीने के बाद बात याद न रहना, रोज़ मात्रा बढ़ना, काम और घर की ज़िम्मेदारियाँ छूटना और नुकसान होने पर भी न छोड़ पाना शराब की लत के मुख्य लक्षण हैं। रोज़ ज़्यादा पीने वाले को अचानक बंद नहीं करना चाहिए, क्योंकि दौरे पड़ सकते हैं। डॉक्टर की निगरानी में ही छुड़वाएँ।
How do I know if my son is using drugs?
Look for a group of changes rather than one. Common ones are coming home late, red or very small or very large pupils, sudden weight loss, asking for money often, missing things at home, a locked door, a new friend circle, falling marks, and anger when asked simple questions. Burnt foil, small pouches, syringes or cut straws in his room are strong signs. Talk to him calmly and get a doctor to assess him before you decide anything.
Mera beta nasha kar raha hai, kaise pata chalega?
Ek cheez se pakka nahi hota, lekin kai cheezein saath dikhein to dhyaan dein: raat ko der se aana, paise maangna, ghar se cheezein ya paise gayab hona, aankhein laal ya pupil bahut chhoti ya bahut badi, wazan girna, dost badalna aur sawaal poochne par gussa. Dant ke nahi, pyaar se baat karein aur kisi psychiatrist se milwayein.
What are the physical signs of alcohol use?
Red or puffy face, bloodshot eyes, smell of alcohol on the breath or skin, shaking hands in the morning, unsteady walking, slurred speech, stomach pain, poor appetite, and yellow eyes or skin in long term heavy drinking. Yellow eyes or swelling in the belly need a doctor urgently.
Kitne din nasha karne se lat lagti hai?
Iska koi fixed number of days nahi hai. Kisi ko jaldi aur kisi ko der se lat lagti hai, aur yeh substance, quantity, umar aur mental health par depend karta hai. Chitta jaisi heroin mix cheezein bahut tezi se dependence bana sakti hain. Isliye 'ek do baar to chalta hai' sochna safe nahi hai.
Is addiction a disease or a weakness?
Addiction is a health condition that changes how the brain handles reward, stress and self control. It is not a lack of character or willpower. That is why shouting and punishment rarely work, and why medical treatment, counselling and family support work better.
नशे की लत और आदत में क्या फर्क है?
आदत में आदमी चाहे तो रुक सकता है। लत में उसे रुकना बहुत मुश्किल लगता है, नशे की मात्रा बढ़ती जाती है, नशा रुकने पर शरीर और मन बिगड़ते हैं, और नुकसान दिखने पर भी वह नहीं छोड़ पाता। यही फर्क है, और इसी वजह से इसमें डॉक्टरी मदद चाहिए।
What should I do first if I see these warning signs?
Stay calm, choose a quiet time, and speak without blame. Say what you have noticed and that you are worried. Do not lock him in, beat him or threaten him. Then call the free helplines 14446 or 14416, or take him to a psychiatry OPD for an assessment. If he is unconscious or breathing very slowly, call 108 immediately.
Kya sharab ek dum band karna khatarnak hai?
Haan, agar koi roz bahut zyada peeta ho to achanak band karne se kaampna, ghabrahat, bhram aur daure (seizures) pad sakte hain, jo jaan ke liye khatarnak ho sakte hain. Alcohol detox hamesha doctor ki nigrani mein hona chahiye. Ghar par khud se band karwane ki koshish na karein.
Can a person hide addiction for years?
Yes. Many people hide it well, especially at the start. They may keep working, smile at home and still be using daily. That is why families should watch patterns over weeks, not one bad day.
Is there a nasha mukti kendra near me in Kangra for this?
Yes. Eshan Charitable Trust is a registered private charitable trust near FCI Godown, Tanda Kholi, Kangra. It admits men aged 18 and above, usually within a day or two, with a full time psychiatrist, medically supervised detox and counselling. Call or WhatsApp +91 62304 15581 any time. It is not a government centre.
Treatment ka kharcha kitna hota hai?
Eshan Charitable Trust mein monthly fees ₹12,500, ₹25,000 aur ₹40,000 hain (room ke hisaab se, ilaaj sabka same), aur detox ke liye ek baar ₹6,000. Agar ₹12,500 bhi mushkil ho to phone zaroor karein, jahan ho sake wahan fees kam ki jaati hai. Sarkari options ke liye free helpline 14446 par bhi baat kar sakte hain.
A Last Word for the Family
Noticing the warning signs of drug and alcohol addiction early is an act of love, not betrayal. The families who do best are not the ones who found the perfect words. They are the ones who spoke up, got a doctor involved and stayed close through the months after detox.
If you are unsure, call us. Nobody will pressure you, and asking costs nothing.
Sources
Researched by the Eshan team from the public sources below. General education only.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Drug misuse and addiction, general information.
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Alcohol use and its effects.
- World Health Organization. Opioid overdose, fact sheet.
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Tele MANAS.
- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.
- The Tribune. This rehabilitation centre revolutionises addiction treatment, Bhuntar, Kullu.