Some Telltale Signs of Teenage Drug Abuse

In most cases, situations of teenage drug abuse become more complicated because their families were not able to take stock of the situation earlier. Parents of a teenager are not professionals in the subject of drug abuse and hence it is quite normal that they do not read the signs or mistake them for some other condition. This kind of ignorance however can take an immense toll on the entire treatment process later on. It can actually impede treatment because the person’s abuse will keep on growing to higher levels. That is the reason the families must read about the way a drug abuse works as much as possible.

Drug abuse signs can be found out in the behavior as well as the physical characteristics of the teenager. Here is what you should be looking out for.

Behavioral Signs of Teenage Drug Abuse

1. The teenager will not find restful sleep at night. Insomnia will be quite common. Youngsters who are consuming drugs may stay awake for long hours at night and then feel quite sluggish and lethargic on the next day.

2. They will not be quite interested in eating too. This will make them lose weight to an appreciable extent. But in some cases, the opposite effect is observed. These teenagers will develop an appetite and will eat voraciously. This can cause weight gain. Whether the person loses or gains weight will depend on the kind of addiction the person is in.

3. When teenagers use drugs, they become quite secretive about everything. You will find the defensive and guarded approach in the way they say things. Lying can become a mainstay too. Teenage drug abuse victims will lie at the drop of a hat, often for no reason at all.

4. School grades dropping is a very common indicator. If the teenager has been consistent in academic performance but has been showing an inexplicable dip lately, then you have to investigate whether he or she is with drugs or not.

5. You will find that they lose their drive to perform also. Teenagers, once they start consuming an addictive substance, will start relying on it to a great deal. They will not want to achieve anything in life. Goal-making, being oriented in life, etc. will have no meaning for them.

6. There will be sudden and unexplained mood swings. You will find that they begin throwing tantrums at the merest pretext and become quite irritable and nervous.

7. You will notice several changes in the teenager’s environment. This might include a new friends group and new places that they visit. They will also become reluctant to speak about these changes. You might also find several curious objects in their collection, such as tin foils, rolling papers, tourniquets, syringes, roach clips, etc.

8. They will always need money. If not given to them, they might also begin stealing.

Physical Signs of Teenage Drug Abuse

1. Defective walking manner that appears staggered.

2. Lack of coordination with the different parts of the body, which creates poor reflex signals.

3. Palms that are always sweaty.

4. Hands that are always unsteady.

5. Eyes have a blank look in them and are often bloodshot.

6. Face looks flushed or pale. There may be an increase in the amount of facial fat.

7. The person’s breath will begin to smell differently, often carrying the odor of the addictive drug in it.

8. Typical smoker’s cough that is characterized with a hacking sound.

9. A continuous runny nose.

10. Nausea and feeling of vomiting.

Apart from these, there are some signs that you can actually see. You might find some syringe marks on their hands and feet which might be places where they have injected the drug into their bodies. These will especially be found on the arm or the feet. There are also some characteristics such as a large amount of talkativeness and a great uncharacteristic zest for getting things done, even if they are not needed at the moment. This is actually a method in which they will try to cover up for their addiction so that the other person does not suspect anything, but in truth, it becomes excessive.

Being parents, it is necessary to learn how to identify these symptoms in your children and, if they persist, they must not be avoided. Today, there are many centers where teen alcohol and drug abuse treatments are provided. Look for such an option and get the child into treatment before it is too late. When people begin an addiction early on in life, there is a great chance that their addiction will become drastic quite soon and then treatment will only become more difficult.