6 Signs of Drug Abuse in Teens

Detecting early signs of substance abuse in teenagers is difficult because it does not show acute effects during early use. But you can find out their drug use where you can sense something in your child's routine or behavior.

Truths About Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Adolescents

Adolescents are at greater risk of drug addiction due to their socio-economic circumstances, age, genetics, and other related factors.
It can start out as casual drug use, but it can lead to abuse and addiction if not controlled, which can cause serious health problems, financial problems, and unnecessary legal problems.
According to some trusted sources, most teenagers in the United States are addicted to marijuana and COC.
Recently, vaping rates (nicotine or THC) among teenagers have increased tremendously in recent years.
Many teenagers who have become addicted to these drugs face co-occurring mental disorders.
A teenager's brain is very susceptible to disruption and impact because it is still in the developmental stage.
Addiction, be it a teenager or an adult, is a type of disease. It should not be viewed as a moral failure or moral breakdown. When you come across an addicted person, it is better to focus on the behavior rather than the person.
There is no cure for addiction. But it can be managed. No rehabilitation center can guarantee that the person being treated is completely free from addiction. They get the person to manage their addiction through specific practices. Addiction should be treated over time like other chronic diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
It is better to prevent it before it happens. So it might be better to spend time with your child and learn about their expectations and desires, educate them about the rules and consequences they could face if they break the rules, etc. Check them regularly.
Detecting substance abuse in the early stages could help treat it effectively and restore life.

Causes of substance abuse in adolescents

According to some trusted sources, nearly half of all drug users in the United States are under the age of 18. This can be shocking, but in this technological world, it's teenagers who are more depressed than those who work on high-pressure jobs. It's not the only reason.

Some of the prominent causes that might be appropriate for teenage substance abuse include:

curiosity -Some teenagers may find it curious to know what the drug could bring them.
Peer pressure – This is the number one cause most teenagers are exposed to drugs. This can include both physical and mental compulsions that could lead the person to smoke the drug. The person may remember to stay away from re-using, but it rarely happens.
Mood swings – Repeated setbacks in life can lead a person to smoke illegal drugs. Teenagers in particular do not have the maturity, setbacks, or obstacles to face that could urge them to smoke.
A release from reality – Most teenagers hate their reality and to escape it they use drugs. They hope to be freed from reality as a result. But it's not a relief; Instead, it's a trap or a path to addiction.
depression – As mentioned earlier, this is the number one cause that could draw teens into the world of drugs.

Common drugs that teenagers abuse

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There is no difference in drug use between adults and adolescents, as most illegal drugs are easily accessible despite strict government regulations.

Some of the most common drugs that the teenagers abuse include:

alcohol – Binge drinking has become more common among teenagers lately. Teenagers are more obsessed at parties and partake in binge drinking, consuming more alcohol, which could lead to addiction. Nearly 17% to 25% of high school students and teenagers are involved in binge drinking, according to the CDC.
marijuana – Perceptions of marijuana use among adolescents and adults have changed since the introduction of the Medical Marijuana Act. Most teenagers think that marijuana use doesn't cause their bodies much trouble.
Over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs – OTC drugs like DXM and narcotic pain relievers like Benzos and Oxycontin can have pleasant effects. Teenagers are very sensitive to drug addiction or overdose when taking these drugs without a prescription.

Abuse Statistics

According to CDC reports, nearly one in five teenagers has abused prescription and over-the-counter drugs in recent years.
According to the NIDA reports, nearly 21 percent of the youth population use high-profile illicit drugs such as cocaine and marijuana.
Almost a third of parents believe there is nothing they can do about their teenage substance abuse. You have lost faith in making your child normal again.

Signs and symptoms of substance abuse in adolescents

Teenagers may not show early symptoms of substance abuse. But you can find out their drug use if their use becomes more frequent.

Some of the signs and symptoms of substance abuse are listed below.

Physical and emotional symptoms

Mood swings that suddenly become extreme.
Change in sleep pattern and fatigue.
Bloodshot eyes and dilated pupils.
Loss of appetite and unusual eating habits.
Changes in dressing pattern.
Suicidal thoughts.
Uncontrollable anger.
Unexplained burns and nosebleeds.

Social symptoms

They neglect friends and prefer to be alone most of the time.
Do not spend time with family members and prefer solitude.
Lack of interest in hobbies and other interesting activities.
Do secret activities and keep things away from friends and home.
Build up a defensive character.

Family and house questions

Not following house rules and reluctant to abide by them.
Not involved in any family activities or routines.
More absence from home and isolation from family members.
Always stay in the drug collecting mindset and obsessed with consuming them.
Giving lies and unrealistic or unbelievable explanations.
Use mints or air fresheners to cover up drug use.
Thoughts of running away from home or thoughts of suicide.

School problems

Missing school attendance.
Failure to complete tasks on time.
Dizziness or sleeping in class.
Consistent behavior problems.
Sudden change of notes.
Increased delay.
Lack of interest in extracurricular activities.

Financial concerns

Participate in thefts such as B. Stealing money from family or friends (unintentionally)
Lack of savings and inexplicable loss or lack of money.
Properties are missing or lost.
Invest more money in drugs and alcohol.
Lack of tracking or finding tangible evidence of spending.
More money or property (like clothes, groceries, and accessories) arrives without an adequate source. (If you do experience this, act immediately as your child may be dealing in drugs and making money from it.)

Legal problems

More involvement in criminal activity or social unrest.
Arrests for drug offenses.

When does my child need help?

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Your child needs help if you can explicitly identify one or more of the above symptoms. This is because medical symptoms are difficult to track in the early stages and may not appear until the addiction gets worse.

First of all, you have to trust your child. If you've noticed some of the symptoms discussed above, it is a good idea to keep in touch with your child every now and then and monitor their activities without questioning them. Make sure your child doesn't feel like you are chasing them.

You can get professional reviews and opinions from trained consultants and experts before you begin. This could help you lift your child out of the grave of addiction.

If the abuse has become more serious or has resulted in an addiction, there is no need to panic. You can calculate the amount of drug traces with the help of home drug testing kits before taking any action. He could help you clarify what to do.

You can participate in a drug rehab program with your child and help your child manage the addiction through appropriate treatment.

How effective are inpatient treatment centers for drug abuse among adolescents?

Most inpatient treatment centers have a strong focus on treating drug addiction so that they do not care about co-occurring symptoms such as mental disorders.

Some teenagers may experience co-occurring mental disorders such as depression and anxiety along with drug addiction. You need a trained professional who has extensive knowledge of drug addiction and treatment in adolescents.

Inpatient treatment can be complex for the child, but it is the best source to help the child with drug problems.

last words

Drug addiction can be common in older adults, but it shouldn't occur in teenagers. Drug addiction itself is the most delicate problem the country is facing, and the US government is taking various measures to curb illicit drug use.

With the help of the above signs and symptoms, it is time to shake hands with your child and prevent them from entering the home-made cemetery.

About the author:

Harry Garlow is a young content writer interested in raising awareness about substance abuse and its effects. He helps people by providing valuable and necessary information about illegal drug use, drug testing and their methods, detox, state and federal laws relating to drug use and drug testing, etc.

He is the editor of DrugTestPanels, one of the renowned online pharmacies providing end-to-end drug testing kit solutions to employers and individuals across the United States.