The teenage years are often challenging for both teens and their parents. As adolescents explore their independence, they may encounter peer pressure, stress or curiosity that could lead to experimenting with drugs.
For parents, recognizing the signs of drug use can make a significant difference in helping a teenager make healthier choices. Parents of teenagers can benefit from guidance on identifying potential signs of drug use and the steps they can take to address the issue constructively.
Recognizing the signs of drug use
Drug use in teenagers usually manifests as behavioral, physical and emotional changes that keen parents can notice. While not all changes are indicative of drug use, being observant can help parents spot red flags before it’s too late.
A common behavioral change among teens who are secretly using drugs is obviously sudden secrecy. A parent may notice that their teenager has suddenly become overly secretive about their:
- Activities
- Friends
- Whereabouts
For a parent, the hope is that whatever they’re hiding is trivial. However, it may be that they’re hiding their drug use and the friends they hang out with when experimenting.
Another common indicator that may point to secretive drug use is an inexplicable decline in academic performance. Parents of teenagers should not overlook a noticeable drop in grades or a lack of interest in school-related activities because these may be signs of drug use.
Teenage parents can easily brush over unexplained changes in their kid’s appearance, assuming that it’s related to adolescents. However, some changes that should be treated as red flags include:
- Red or glazed eyes
- Dilated pupils
- Frequent nosebleeds
Parents of teenagers should also be aware that drug use can lead to unpredictable behavior, such as:
- Sudden anger
- Sadness
- Euphoria
Some substances can also cause heightened anxiety or feelings of suspicion.
Parents whose teenagers get into legal trouble due to secretive drug use can feel hopeless and fearful for their kids’ future. Luckily, with compassionate legal support, parents can help ensure that curiosity and experimenting don’t cast a dark cloud over their children’s lives.
