[michimama]

My sister is 27 and has tried almost every drug I can think of--everything from LSD to coke. She did coke once in my presence almost 2 years ago and I tried to discourage her from doing it. She told my boyfriend how much she wanted to do it again sometime. When I confronted her again later on, she claimed that she only did it a couple more times. Recently she moved to Chicago, where she occasionally hangs out with known cokeheads. She makes more money that I do, doesn't pay rent, lately she keeps bouncing checks at least a few times a month and never has any money. She is far too old to do still bounce her account. She has also been more distant than usual and barely calls me and my family anymore. She claims she as a job, but I feel like she might not and has been very secretive and eccentric, like she doesn't even know what's going on. Now my parents think she's a cocaine addict. What are warning signs? What should I do?

[Bangarang]

Wow. That is really intense. And it does sound like your sister is in trouble, and if my sister was getting into that sort of stuff, I'd be on the next plane to Chicago and I would intervene. Force her to sort her life out. TOUGH LOVE!

[Andy]

Everything you described there are possible signs of a drug habit. It sounds very likely that she is using.

[Emmanuel M]

Just look at her eyes and see if the iris is fully opened

[red5293]

It certainly sounds like addition to me. the signs are there - secretive, never having money, not taking care of responsiblities, hanging out with coke users. What are you to do - you can try to talk to her but if she will probably deny that she has a problem, she will probably get mad but she may want to find rehab.

[red7237]

everything you said about her are signs. there are a lot of places she can go to for help. they have great meetings in chicago for people with drug problems. but she has to want to get help for the help to actually work.if you're asking for advice on how to get her to go...go with her. they will be very informative for you as well. plus there are support groups for families going through it. she will need the love, trust, and support from you. cocaine addiction is not only an addiction; it is a disease.my prayers are with you and your family.