Recognizing and Dealing with Teen Drug Use

Every parent's worst nightmare is finding out one of their children has a drug problem. Even worse would be losing a child to a drug related death and wondering if there was anything you could have done to save them. Just as children need to be educated about drugs, parents need to be educated as to what signs they should be looking for that might indicate a problem.

There are many physical and behavioral signs that your child may have a drug abuse problem. Knowing what some of these signs are may be the difference between getting your child the help they need and finding out too late that they were in trouble. First, we'll take a look at the behavioral side of it.

The most important thing you can do as a parent is be actively involved your child's life. This means be more than just someone who provides them with food and shelter. Be involved in their school life and their social life. Ask them questions about where they're going and who's going to be there. Insist on meeting their friends and their parents to find out what kind of people they are hanging out with. If you stay involved in all aspects of your child's life, you'll be more likely to notice a change in their behavior.

There are many different behavioral changes that could indicate a drug problem in your teenage child. You may begin to notice that your child is locking their bedroom door all the time or just being more secretive in general. The friends that they've had for years don't seem to be coming around anymore. Instead, they might have a new group of friends that they really don't want you to get to know. You may find that you're catching them lying to you when they never have before. One sign that will show up with almost all drug use is mood swings. Your child may seem very lethargic and overly tired one moment and then hyper-active and aggressive the next. A sudden lack of interest in the things that were once important to them such as athletics or hobbies could occur as well. Changes in appetite and sleep patterns could also be brought on by drug use.

There could also be more serious changes in behavior. You might notice that valuable items, money, and prescription drugs are missing from around the house. Relatives and neighbors are usually easy targets for someone looking to get some quick money for drugs. Your once well mannered child may begin to become violent or abusive as a result of prolonged drug use.

If your child is using drugs, problems will begin to arise in school as well. Teachers might report a sudden drop in grades or notice a decreased interest in learning. Your child may start to become disruptive in class or disrespectful to school staff. In some cases, you may get called in to school because your child has been getting into fights when they never have before.

Physical changes may also alert you to a possible drug use problem. Strange smells on your child's breath or clothing and bloodshot eyes could be early indicators that your child has been experimenting with drugs. The way your child dresses may change, from the types of clothing they wear to just appearing sloppier than usual. Drastic, noticeable fluctuation in their weight may also accompany drug use.

Certain types of drugs will have specific physical effects on your child. Track marks on the arms are a common sign of heroin use. Burnt thumbs and singed eyebrows usually indicate the use of crack-cocaine. Dilated pupils can many times be a sign of LSD use.

You may find evidence around your home or in you child's possession that indicate the existence of a drug problem. There are many types of drug related items that your child may have left lying around or hidden in their room. Various pipes are often used for the smoking of marijuana and crack-cocaine. Soaked rags or empty aerosol containers in the trash may indicate the use of household items as inhalants. This practice is commonly referred to as "huffing". Small pieces of glass and razor blades are used for preparing cocaine. Spoons with smoke stains on them as well as syringes and tourniquets could be evidence of heroin use.

As a parent, you need to take action as soon as you suspect your child is using drugs. Confront your child about their possible drug use, but choose a time when they are not high or intoxicated. Find out what kind of drugs are being used and how often. Ask where they are getting the drugs and try to find out how long it's been going on. All of these factors will help you understand how serious the problem is and what steps to take next.

Speak to a health professional to help you evaluate the situation and determine if treatment would be a suitable next step. They can also point you in the direction of a treatment program geared toward your child's specific needs. Be involved in your child's treatment and aftercare to give them the best possible chance for success. If you let them know they have the support of their family their chances of recovery increase dramatically.

The best thing you can do for your child is talk to them early and often about drug use before it occurs. Speak to your child about risk factors such as peer pressure, family history, and what types of drugs are prevalent in your area.

Discuss with them the personal consequences of drug use. Inform them of the immediate and long term effects it will have on their health. Speak with them about how drug use will hurt their chances of being successful in school and in the job market.

Make them aware of the legal consequences of drug use as well. Let them know that it is illegal and could very well result in them spending time in prison. If possible, it is also helpful to have your child speak with a recovering addict because it makes the things you're trying to tell them seem more real.

Again, get involved early and educate your child about drugs at a young age. This will give them the tools they need to make good decisions and avoid getting involved in a lifestyle that's extremely difficult to get out of.