Signs that your teen could be abusing drugs

Drugs and substance abuse is a problem that is prevalent world-wide. It needs no saying that it greatly lowers the productivity of the abuser, which is unfortunate, because young people have immense potential to become successful and influential people in our society.

Adolescence is a vulnerable stage, it is a stage of rapid change, and the teenager is struggling with a lot, including sexual identity, self-identity, and pressure to decide what they want to do with their lives. Experimentation with smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs mostly begins at this stage. It is therefore important for parents, guardians, and healthcare providers to know the warning signs of drug abuse. If caught early, it is possible to seek interventions that will prevent addiction.

RED FLAG

One of the initial warning signs of drug abuse in teenagers is a change in mannerism and behaviour, for instance recurrent change of friends who you do not know or approve of. When confronted, he may give poor excuses for the changed behaviour, or get unusually angry or defensive.

Teenagers using drugs may also withdraw from normal family routine and activities, and instead spend time alone in their rooms, and cut you off. Also, if they suddenly don’t want you going into their room, or hesitate to tell you where they are going or with who, sit up and take notice.

Alcohol and marijuana can impair sense of judgment; cause an obvious slurring of speech as well as other difficulties in verbal communication. A teen under the influence of these drugs may either talk less or become abnormally talkative with jumbled speech, or use drug jargon.

MOOD SWING

Another warning sign is frequent skipping of classes, a sudden lack of interest in school activities, or decline in school grades.

Lack of motivation is another warning sign of drug abuse. The teenager may exhibit laziness, poor morale, and may appear drowsy and fatigued. In such a case, his eating habits may have become poor.

Another sign is depressed mood, mood swings and lack of interest in things they were previously passionate about.

Teenagers are normally very concerned about their appearance, therefore, any gradual or sudden disinterest in looking good, disregard for cleanliness, or adoption of odd dress habits may be a sign of drug abuse.

If your teenager frequently asks for money but does not give a reasonable explanation on how he intends to use the money, you should be alarmed – there is a probability that he could be using this money to buy drugs. If you fail to give him the money he asks for, the likelihood is that he will resort to stealing, to sustain his habit. If money starts missing from your handbag, or other places you keep money, or if house-hold items such as electronics start to disappear from your home, it could be that your teenager is selling them to feed a drug habit.

BE OBSERVANT

Other definitive signs, and which need close scrutiny, may include widely dilated pupils, bloodshot eyes, or pin-point pupils. There may also be noticeable physical changes like abrupt and unexplained weight gain, weight loss, and poor oral hygiene. There may be needle tracks on the skin, which is an indication of using injectable substances such as heroine. Such teenagers like wearing long-sleeved clothes even during warm weather to hide the needle marks.

Last but not least, a teen who uses drugs may have drug-related objects such as weight scales, aluminum foil wrappers, short straws, cigarette lighters, mirrors and hypodermic needles.

It is the duty of a parent to keep a close tab on what your child is up to. Spend adequate time with him, engage him, take an active interest in activities he is interested in, and make an effort to know his friends. Only an involved parent would be in a position to spot these warning signs, and therefore take the necessary precautions to offer help.