What makes pupils dilate drugs

Dilated pupils, an enlargement of the black portion of the center of the eye, are one common symptom of substance use. Learn more about what drugs cause dilated pupils as well as other potential red flags for addiction. Stimulants and psychotropic substances most commonly cause pupil dilation. However, this symptom can result from ingesting alcohol, mescaline, cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, amphetamines, cannabis, inhalants, narcotics, hallucinogens, bath salts, ketamine, and SSRI antidepressants.

Pupil dilation is also associated with heroin and opioid withdrawal. This symptom tends to wear off, along with the other effects of the drug. Some drugs, most commonly opioids such as heroin, cause pinpoint pupils. When a drug or substance that affects your nervous system is introduced into your body it has a chance of affecting your eyes. A variety of drugs can cause this, some prescription and some not. The most common type of drugs that cause miosis are opiates.

There are some other interesting facts about pupil constriction in relation to opiates like heroin and morphine. Pupils will typically constrict within 15 minutes to an hour of heroin entering the body and can last between three and five hours.

Someone who is non-dependent can experience constricted pupils for up to two hours, while someone who is dependent will have their eyes return to normal within 15 minutes. You can make an educated guess or even an uneducated guess, but in order to know for sure, you will need a lot more information. Remember, all of our bodies are reacting to a lot of different factors all at once.

Most of the tests conducted in treatment facilities or by police are relying on multiple steps like checking blood pressure, pulse, and temperature. There is generally no one piece of information that is going to accurately predict what drug someone has ingested. Usually, people respond to dilated pupils by wearing sunglasses to hide them or to protect their eyes from the light, which feels much brighter than usual.

Some people are able to hide their issues very well, making it extremely difficult to determine if they have a problem.

You may have a very strong suspicion they need help but hesitate to say anything because you are not certain. There are many ways to potentially identify if your loved one may be struggling with an addiction, but pupil size is one of the most common ways to easily identify this. When pupils are dilated, other symptoms often point to substance use or poisoning as well. These symptoms include:. While it may be uncommon for someone to exhibit every single one of these signs of drug abuse or alcoholism, if your loved one is showing signs of more than one or two of them then there is legitimate cause for concern.

If you do notice these signs the important thing to remember is that you should not panic. There is help available, but you must speak to your loved one in a compassionate and caring manner in order to voice your concerns. If you and the rest of your family do not feel comfortable doing this alone, there are professional interventionists that specialize in helping families confront their loved ones about getting help at a drug rehab facility.

If you recognize multiple signs of drug abuse and suspect that your friend or family member is struggling with substance use, there are multiple things that you can do to help the situation. Knowing what drugs cause dilated pupils can be helpful, but it is important to get a more specific idea of exactly what your loved one is struggling with in order to help them to get the most appropriate form of treatment for them.

Say something — Talk to your loved one about your concerns. It is never a good idea to wait for the situation to get worse, as the longer someone abuses drugs and alcohol the more difficult it can be to fully heal from the problem. Be prepared for excuses and denial and respond with specific examples of their behavior which has concerned you. It is important that you remain the calm and collected party in the situation.

Many families who are dealing with a loved one struggling with addiction end up neglecting their own needs, worsening the situation. Make sure you have people you can talk to and lean on for support in these difficult times. Get one step closer to helping your loved one by contacting us today! What Drugs Cause Dilated Pupils? Dec 31, Why Do Pupils Dilate? Your pupils can also dilate due to chemical reactions in your brain caused by emotions.

Some of which are: Antihistamines Antidepressants Benzodiazepines Stimulants Bath salts Bear in mind that, if your loved one has started taking a new treatment due to a health condition, having dilated pupils might be a normal side effect of the new medication.

The most common side effects of substance abuse are: Slurred speech or not speaking properly Depression Isolation Sleep deprivation or insomnia Trembling or shaking Sudden change in grooming habits Sudden and drastic weight loss or gain Paranoia Drugs have different effects on people, and not everyone experiences the same symptoms. How to Help Your Loved One Helping a loved one with drug abuse can be challenging and, no doubt, frightening.

Confront the Situation Approach your loved one with love and concern. Intervention A good and caring support group of friends and family might be enough to form an intervention and help your loved one.