In a recent survey, 81 percent of teens said they had an opportunity to use drugs while 42.5 percent tried the drugs. Teens deal with a lot of physical and emotional changes while growing, and there can be tremendous peer pressure from other teens to try drugs.
If your teenager is acting out of character or their grades are slipping, you may want to pay attention. Is your teenager on drugs? Find out here.
Drastic Changes in School and at Home
If your teen’s grades have dropped dramatically, there could be a drug problem. He or she may also skip school more often.
Has your teen’s teacher reached out to about your kid’s behavior? You should not ignore these red flags.
At home, look around for drug paraphernalia such as small pipes, rolling papers, cellophane wrappers, small containers or baggies, syringes, or aluminum foil. Have you noticed any money or possessions missing? Your teen may be stealing to get money for drugs.
You should always keep track of contents in your medicine cabinet. Also, check your alcohol cabinet regularly to take inventory.
Health Changes
Drugs take a toll on the body. Watch your teenager for any of these warning signs:
- Sudden weight changes
- Bloodshot eyes
- Flushed cheeks
- Dilated pupils
- Bruises
- Shakes
- Nosebleeds
- Extreme fatigue
Use your nose when you are around your teenager. Smell his or her breath and clothes for any different or odd odors.
Behavior Changes
One of the earliest signs of drug use you may see in your teen is a difference in behavior. You may notice your teen has new friends, withdrawing from family, disinterest in normal activities, and lack of communication.
You may notice some irrational or dramatic changes in your teen’s actions. He may be more irritable or even verbally abuse. He may even become more violent.
If your child begins to withdrawal from family and friends, this can be another sign of drug use. Teens may be depressed and lack interest in activities that used to once bring them joy.
Other Risk Factors
There are other factors you need to consider when determining if your teen may be using drugs. Teenagers are irrational and can be unpredictable. These changes can influence them negatively.
Do you live in an area with high drug rates? Living in an area with high rates can normalize this exposure and have a high rate of experimentation that can ultimately lead to addiction.
If there is a genetic trend of any form of addition on either side of the family, the child is more susceptible to follow in those footsteps. Why is this? Genes can influence addiction behaviors.
You also need to think about your teenager’s age. Kids are curious about the world around them and are bound to experiment. Teens that are exposed to drugs earlier have a higher risk of addiction, and the brain is not done fully developing until the mid-twenties so it can be irreversible damage.
Get Help for Your Teenager on Drugs
Looking for signs that to see if your teenager is on drugs is the first step to helping him or her recover. Read through our blog for more ways to help your loved one. When you are ready, contact us directly to get your teenager and your family help to fight this addiction.