Spotting the Early Warning Signs of Drug Use in Teens

Parenting; it’s tough. No matter how well planned the entrance to it is, no one is every really prepared. From the first cold to the first cut or scape, we’re a basket case of nerves often second and quadruple guessing our decisions. We sweat the little and the big things, and one of our biggest fears is our child – no matter their age – getting in over their heads. Drugs are a very real concern for parents, and spotting the early warning signs of drug use is crucial education for every parent.

Parenting a Teenager

Nothing scares a parent more than the teenage years. Teens are wildly unpredictable. They are entering a stage in life during which their minds and bodies undergo dramatic and sometimes life altering changes. And that’s just what happens internally. On the outside, their social scene is changing and expanding. They want to feel loved and accepted, and they long to be one of the “cool kids.” Peer pressure plays one of the strongest roles in their development now versus any other time in their life.

A guidebook to raising a teen – to raising your teen – doesn’t exist. As Ayelet Waldman puts it:

“There are times as a parent when you realize that your job is not to be the parent you always imagined you’d be, the parent you always wished you had. Your job is to be the parent your child needs, given the particulars of his or her own life and nature.”

Is your teen likely to try alcohol or drugs? If we’re speaking honestly, yes. It’s more likely for a teen to try something once than not at all; although some teens do stay completely clean of illicit drugs. A survey of over 46,000 teenagers in 8^th, 10^th, and 12^th grades revealed that 13 to 40 percent of them have at least tried a drug within the last year.

The Warning Signs of Drug Use

Use and abuse of drugs (and alcohol) is serious. If ignored, it can lead to a lifelong war filled with battles involving ups, downs, rehab, and trouble with the law. We’ve curated a list of 45 warning signs of drug use from three top online sources.

Signs in the Home and at School according to About Parenting:

1. Loss of interest in family activities and activities they once enjoyed
2. Disrespect for family, friends, and authority
3. Withdrawal from responsibilities and a general lack of caring
4. Becoming verbally or physically abusive
5. Valuable items around the house start to disappear
6. Money vanishes
7. Refusal to tell you where they are going
8. Excuses for poor academic performance and behavioral changes
9. Becoming a loner
10. Lying
11. Finding drug paraphernalia
12. A sudden drop in grades
13. A negative change in school attendance
14. Little to no interest in learning at school
15. Sleeping in class

Physical and Psychological Warning Signs according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence:

16. Bloodshot eyes
17. Increased to frequent nosebleeds
18. An increase (or decrease) in appetite or sleep patterns
19. Sudden weight gain or loss
20. Seizures without any previous medical history of epilepsy
21. A negative change in grooming habits and physical appearance
22. An increase in injuries
23. Visibly impaired coordination
24. Unusual or unfamiliar body odors
25. Strange odors on clothing
26. Incoherent or slurred speech
27. Shakes or tremors
28. Periods of odd agitation or hyperactivity
29. A lack of enthusiasm or failure to focus
30. Appearing lazy or looking spaced out
31. Fearfulness, anxiousness, or paranoia for no explainable reason
32. An unexplainable and confusing personality change
33. Sudden mood swings, increased irritability, or bursts of anger or laughter at nothing

Personal Warning Signs according to DrugFree.org:

34. A noteworthy change in habits or actions without explanation
35. Suddenly becoming a rebel
36. Avoiding eye contact during conversation or when asked questions
37. Reckless behavior, including driving
38. Secrecy
39. Suddenly locking doors or feeling as if privacy is being invaded by normal actions
40. Constantly chewing gum or popping mints to hide breath odor
41. Clenching the jaw or teeth
42. Burns or soot on the fingertips or lips
43. Track marks on the arms or legs
44. Red, flushed cheeks with little to no physical exertion
45. A cash flow problem

5 Actions You Don’t Want to Take

If you suspect your child is using or abusing drugs, action is imperative. Not only is it your job as a parent, but it’s also one of the most meaningful things you can do. Likewise, there are five easy to start actions that can be detrimental to the situation:

1. Don’t Ignore It: Ignoring the warning signs or writing them off as nothing to worry about can kill every chance your child has of receiving help early on.
2. Don’t Minimize It: Once an issue has been confirmed, do not minimize it. Just because it’s the first time your teen has used, or their addiction is minimal in comparison to others, does not mean it’s any less serious.
3. Don’t Attack It: Obviously, you want to help. You want to get your child back on the right track, but attacking them isn’t the way to do it. Sympathy and understanding are critical to recovery. Do not blatantly attack their way of thinking just because it’s out of alignment or wrong.
4. Don’t Encourage It: You would never intentionally do anything to encourage further drug or alcohol abuse, but it’s easy to do so unintentionally. The company you and your child keep can encourage further use and abuse. Be cautious of the influences you allow from people to places.
5. Don’t Give Up: Any number of things can set back a drug intervention, treatment, and recovery. Do not give up on your child. Be their personal cheerleader, even when they don’t want to hear it. The love and support you show, even if returned with anger or disdain, will long be remembered as a positive thing.