Top Ten Signs that your Teen is Using Drugs
1. Academic performance is often a key indication of behavior changes including drug use. A drop in grades is always a clue to something. It may not be drugs but when combined with other signs, the evidence can mount.
2. Sudden changes in behavior such as increasing rudeness or sulleness. This can be normal for many teenagers looking to express their independence but it can be one more indicator of drug use.
3. Are they hanging out with the wrong sort of friends? Studies have shown that the most important influence in a teenager’s life is not his parents or his teachers. The most important factor is their peers. If your teen’s friends are suddenly more moody or rebellious, or if new, inappropriate friends suddenly appear, take note.
4. Your teenager’s extreme interest in their favorite activity suddenly disappears. You need to be aware that a drug habit may be their newest hobby.
5. Mood swings are part of adolescence but if they are particularily severe, more than just hormones may be involved. The cycles of dependence and withdrawal can provoke drastic mood changes.
6. Drugs cost money. If they are always asking for more allowance or extra funds for special school events, it’s possible they are using the money to buy drugs. However, you also need to be aware of the opposite situation. Often, a drug user will support their habit by selling drugs. If you notice that your teen has a lot a cash, or seems to be living in a style that can’t be supported by his part time job at Burger King, be suspicious.
7. Drug use is often accompanied by physical symptoms that the user will try to hide from their parents. Dilated pupils and blood shot eyes are indicators of drug use. Your teen may take to wearing sunglasses inside to hide these effects. Don’t let them get away with it. If necessary, explain to them that wearing sunglasses indoors can
harm their vision. Then look them straight in the eye.
8. Smells like teen spirit? Maybe. But drugs like pot, tobacco and alcohol have distinctive odors that you need to be aware of. Sometimes your teen will try to cover up these scents with mints, and perfumes. Of course, sometimes they have simply fallen for the tv commercials for AXE cologne. Tell them you’re allergic so you can see what they really smell like.
9. Do you know where your kids are tonight? Teens need to express their independence. It’s natural for them to spend more time away from home. But it’s your job as a parent to know where they are. If they are relectant to say where they are going or where they have been, this is not a good sign. Don’t accept their arguments that they need their privacy. You are still responsible for them. Arrange a trade-off: they can go out, if you can confirm where they are going. It will never be perfect, but at least you’ve drawn a line in the sand.
10. You know they are using drugs but just haven’t been able to admit it to yourself. Look at the previous nine indicators of teen drug use. If your teen is showing more than five, you know you’ve got a problem. It may not be
drugs, but you have some serious issues to discuss with your teenager.
Communication is the key but sometimes you will need confirmation that there is a drug abuse problem. Home drug tests are available online for all the major illegal drugs (cocaine, marijuana, amphetamine, methamphetamine, PCP, heroin, methadone) as well as legal prescription drugs (benzodiazepines) and social drugs such as alcohol and tobacco. As there are many different types of home drug tests on the market, you need to be aware of the pros and cons before you make the decision to purchase. Feel free to check out our website for more information or
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