How Do You Know if Your Teenager Is Using Drugs?

Adolescence is a challenging period for teenagers and also for the entire family. During this period, teens experience physical, psychological, social, and behavioral changes that sometimes result in difficulties for them and those around them that is why help from a dual diagnosis treatment center can help promote lasting recovery. Due to these changes, it can be difficult to identify if these changes are as a result of drug use or are simply related to puberty. Teenage drug use can be serious and even life-threatening and can require a teen addiction treatment center to step in and help. Since their brains are still developing, drug abuse can have long term cognitive and behavior changes. Is your teenager using drugs? Understand the signs of drug use and end an imminent problem before it begins.

Behavioral Changes

While adolescence may cause behavioral changes in the teen, there is an extent that can serve as red flags for teenage drug use. For instance, teen’s behaviors such as aggressive arguments with siblings, extreme moodiness, and anger can be related to being under the influence of drugs. Take note of how outbursts affect stable relationships with family members these outbursts often are indicators of deeper issues that may require experiential therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or even dialectical behavioral therapy to help treat the deep rooted issues. Though blatant disobedience is normal teenage behavior, extreme extents such as staying out all night, reckless driving, and misuse of money can hint out drug abuse. Other behavioral changes to watch out for in your teen include:

Sudden change in appetite
Change in friend groups
Complaints in school about misbehavior
Poor performance in school

Depending on the substance they may be using, their behaviors may vary. Trust your gut when you notice there is something off with your child’s behavior.

Physical Changes

It may be hard to identify changes in physical appearance, however, look out for:

Bloodshot eyes
Flushed cheeks
Shaking or tremors
Soot fingers or lips
Runny nose without a cold
Unexplained track marks on the arms

Emotional Changes

Teens often experience shifts in emotional stability. When drug use is topped up, these mood swings may be augmented. If your once an exuberant child starts acting withdrawn or depressed, they may be dealing with mental issues, and these may be signs of being under the influence of drugs. Often it is best to get the teen out of their current environment and into a residential treatment center where they can focus exclusively on recovery. While it can be hard to gauge the underlying reason behind the behavior of a teenager, it is important to observe their mood changes. Unexplained restlessness, excitability, and emotional upheavals may be signs that they are involved in drug-related activities.

Health and Hygiene

During adolescence, teens experience rapid growth and the changing hormones may take a toll on the teenager. However, some signs could point out the possibility of drug use. For instance, if your teen experiences frequent headaches together with unhealthy sleep patterns, they may be misusing drugs. A drastic change in their grooming could indicate a shift in focus to other things. Notice if the teen lacks regard towards their hygiene or no longer minds his/her appearance, it could be a sign of mental health issues together with drug use.

Changes at Home and School

Unexplained sudden decline in the teen’s grades is a red flag to take note of. At home, keep an eye out for any unusual changes that may serve as subtle signs of drug use. Such include:

Strange or unusual containers
Drug paraphernalia like smoking devices, butane lighters, syringes, and eye drops
Missing prescription drugs
Alcohol bottles

Is Your Teenager Using Drugs? Find Help for Your Teen at The Detox Center

With the right treatment and support, teens struggling with substance use disorder can recover and move into productive lives. Often the best treatment is individualized and catered to your teen and usually combine these treatment options.

Due to the changes taking place during adolescence, teenagers who are struggling with addiction are likely to have a co-occurring mental health issue such as anxiety or depression. These Informative blogs below can help find the right help for your son/daughter.