If you are troubled that your teen might be using drugs, you’re definitely not worrying without good reason – drug addiction and abuse in teenagers has become a critical issue. In 2015, 58% of high school seniors had been reported for using alcohol in the last year, and almost 36% had used marijuana. The stats for prescription drug abuse among teens were set at 12.9%. Drug use in teens can cause complications and affect the quality of their lives.
Still, there are some common warning signs to look for, and you can, of course, seek help from drug rehab in Fayetteville, NC. Many of the signs and symptoms are mental health issues, like depression or anxiety. Communication is a powerful tool for reducing and preventing teen drug abuse. As a parent, you must remain aware of the warning signs of drug use so children can get the help they need promptly.
So, stop Googling “drug addiction treatment near me” and contact the Carolina Recovery Center to book addiction rehab and treatment sessions. Here we have discussed important signs to help parents or guardians to understand whether their child is using drugs.
Early Signs Showing That Teens Need Drug Rehab in Fayetteville, NC
Several indications can help parents to determine whether a teen is using drugs. It can be somewhat difficult to tell the difference between the pangs of adolescence and actual drug use. But parents should be proactive in talking to their teens and take steps to find out what’s going on for their better future. Teens and young adults who are using drugs will often have some or several of the following signs and symptoms:
Changes in Behavior
Behavioral variations are usually one of the first perceptible symptoms of drug use. Some behavioral changes that may indicate your teen is using drugs include:
- Poor academic performance
- Often getting involved in conflicts or troubles
- Becoming rebellious and aggressive
- Illegal activities
- Reduced concentration on activities and hobbies
- Changing friends or social circles
- Detaching themselves from friends or family
- Newfound request for privacy
- Lack of respect for authority
- Evading eye contact
- Frequent complaints from teachers, classmates, and friends
- Secretive vanishings for substantial periods
Psychological Changes
As many abused drugs have psychotropic effects, personality or mood changes are also common visible signs of drug abuse:
- Recurrent mood swings or emotional uncertainty
- Extreme highs and lows
- Dishonest behavior
- Decreased enthusiasm
- Exhaustion or low energy
- Memory problems
- Poor attentiveness
- Indistinct or rapid-fire speech
- Chuckling for no reason
- Being strangely loud and intolerable
- Being fearful or suspicious for no apparent reason
- Phases of lethargy followed by periods of high energy
- Other inexplicable changes in attitude or personality
Health Problems
Several health problems occur as a result of drug use:
- Appetite fluctuations
- Changes in sleep
- Extreme thirst (known as cottonmouth; occurs due to marijuana)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Frequent sweating
- Headaches
- Recurrent illness
- Sudden weight loss or gain
- Coordination difficulties
- Nosebleeds (may occur due to the snorting of drugs like cocaine)
- Constipation
- Seizure
- Runny nose
- Shakes or tremors
- Accidents or injuries
Personal Appearance
Teens abusing drugs daily often begin to neglect their appearance; you may be able to detect some of these signs:
- Poor hygiene
- Poor coordination
- Teeth clasping
- Bloodshot eyes
- Bruises, cuts, and sores (from falling, bumping into things, or itching)
- Non-stop scratching
- Visible track marks (a clear sign of drug use)
- Hiding the said track marks with long sleeves (can be suspicious in the summer)
- Burn marks from joints
- Pupils won’t dilate
- Smells and unusual odor
Family & Home Issues
These include:
- Constant violation of curfews
- Disregarding house rules
- Not taking part in family activities
- Separation from family members and increased absence from home
- Gathering alcohol and drug paraphernalia
- Lying or offering unrealistic explanations to parents
- Using air fresheners or breath mints to cover the scents
- Running away from home
School Problems
In the schools, teenage addicts face the following problems:
- Missing school and/or extracurricular activities
- Missing excessive time from school
- Incapability to turn in assignments
- Sleeping in class
- Persistent behavioral difficulties
- Poor grades
- Increased sluggishness
- Reduced attention in extracurricular activities
Financial Concerns
Here, you need to look for such signs:
- Stealing money or items from family and friends
- Inexplicable shortages of money
- Lost or missing possessions
- Alcohol goes missing in the home
- Absence of perceptible evidence of how money is spent (such as clothes, music, or other specific items)
- Inexplicable amounts or sources of money (possible indicator that teen is dealing drugs)
Legal Problems
A teen struggling with drugs may run into troubles like:
- Increased involvement with the police
- Charged for drug-use
- DUI arrest
- Charged for violations stemming from alcohol consumption
Other Signs to Look For
There are several other visible signs of drug addiction that you must look for if you’re suspicious about your teenage child using drugs. Such signs include:
- Finding drug equipment (e.g., pipes, rolling papers, needles, bottles, unusual containers, eye drops, butane lighters, smoking devices, cut-up straws, mirrors, Ziploc bags, tin foil, weighing scales, balloons, aluminum foil wrappers, vials, capsules, etc.)
- Finding drug residue or leftovers (e.g., seeds, stems, powder, etc.)
- Sensing suspiciously strong perfumes in your child’s room
- Missing medications, alcohol, cigarettes, etc.
- Missing/stolen cash and valuables
- Finding hidden piles of drugs or alcohol
And so on…
Not all of the signs listed above will point to drug abuse. Some signs on their own may be markers of other, unconnected problems. However, if a big fraction of the aforementioned signs are present, your teen is likely using drugs.
Were You Searching For “Drug Addiction Treatment Near Me”?
Carolina Recovery Center provides intimate and science-backed consultations along with educational and prevention services at our center for drug rehab in Fayetteville, NC. Our services are open to anyone seeking science-based, self-empowered addiction recovery.
If you were desperately Googling “drug addiction treatment near me,” you can finally rest assured that our professional therapists will do all things possible to help your child secure a happier future. Call our drug and alcohol abuse treatment helpline at 984-223-5341 to book an appointment at your earliest convenience.
