Table of Contents
Teen Drug Use and Substance Abuse in Teens
Teenagers use substances for many of the same reasons as adults, but are often more susceptible to using them due to:
- Curiosity
- Peer pressure
- Thinking it’s cool
- To forget about problems
- To rebel against parents or teachers
- Simply due to the ready availability of drugs
- Difficulty thinking and problem-solving
- Problems with memory and learning
- Reduced coordination
- Difficulty maintaining attention
- Problems with school and social life
Physical Signs Your Teen Might Have Been Consuming Substances
It can be difficult to determine if your teen is using drugs. Many signs are typical of teen behavior. Others are symptoms of mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
It’s helpful to become familiar with these telltale signs your teen may be using drugs. While not exhaustive, it highlights many:
Paraphernalia Discovery
- Finding drug paraphernalia among a teen’s belongings can be a shock but is a telltale sign
- Less obvious, but important, are changes in your teen’s social circles, such as new friends who may influence negative behaviors
- Signs of secretive behavior, like lying about whereabouts or having unexplained absences may be strong indicators that you should consider the other following signs
- Absenteeism or a loss of interest in school, work or other activities
- Changed relationships with family members or friends; avoids eye contact; locks doors; makes constant excuses
- Phases of sleeplessness or high energy, followed by long “catch up” sleep
- Goes out often for long periods of time, breaks curfew
- Secretive phone use; may use Incognito mode to hide visited websites
- Uses chewing gum or mints to cover up breath
- Uses preparations to reduce eye reddening or nasal irritation
- Has cash flow problems
- Has become unusually clumsy with poor balance
- Unusually tired and/or lethargic
- Sudden or dramatic weight loss or gain
- Nosebleeds and/or runny nose, not caused by allergies or a cold
- Frequent sickness
- Unable to speak clearly, slurred or rapid-fire speech, indicating slurred speech as a symptom of being high
- Sores, spots around mouth; skin abrasions/bruises
- Frequent sweating
- Seizures and/or vomiting
- Sullen, withdrawn or depressed; lacking motivation
- Silent, uncommunicative; angry, uncooperative
- Deceitful (stealing money) or secretive
- Unable to focus
- A sudden loss of inhibitions; unusually elated
- Smell of smoke or other unusual smells on breath or on clothes, possibly indicating smoking marijuana or smoking weed
- Disheveled appearance
- Poor personal hygiene
- Flushed cheeks or face
- Burns or ash marks on fingers or lips
- Track marks on arms or legs (or long sleeves in warm weather) to hide marks
What to Do After Finding Out?
Stay Calm and Gather Facts
- Staying calm and collect information before confronting your teen. Approaching the situation with calmness and informed understanding can make all the difference in effectively addressing teen drug use.
- Open a non-judgmental conversation with your teen about their substance use
- Establish and enforce clear rules and consequences related to substance use
- Monitor your teen’s behavior and activities without excessively infringing on their privacy
- Let your teen know you wish to support them through recovery efforts, including therapy and support groups.
Five Steps Parents or Guardians Can Take
Establish Clear Rules and Consequences
- Let your teen know that using substances comes with specific consequences. Be careful not to make empty threats or set rules you can’t enforce. Ensure in advance that all parental adults agree with the rules and are prepared to enforce them. Establishing these rules can also help prevent drug use from escalating into a more serious problem.
- Know where your teen goes and who they hang out with. Routinely check for substances in potential hiding places such as in backpacks, between books on a shelf, and in DVD or make-up cases. Explain to your teenager that this lack of privacy is a consequence of their substance use
- Expose your teenager to healthful hobbies and activities, such as team sports and afterschool clubs. Engaging in these positive interests can bolster a child’s academic performance, which is often negatively impacted by drug use. Regular participation in academic and social activities can improve their ability to make effective decisions and maintain their motivation, ultimately preventing drug use and its detrimental effects on their education.
- SUD can be the result of other problems that cause stress, such as having trouble fitting in, or a recent major change in their lives, like a family move or divorce.
- Teenagers often rebel against their parents, but if they hear the same information from a different authority figure, they may be more likely to listen. These may include sports coaches, family doctors, therapists, or drug counselors
When To Look for Help with Mental Health Issues?
Recognizing Overwhelm
- Acknowledge if the situation is beyond your capability, such as your teen’s aggressive behavior or if substance use is severe
- Seek a professional evaluation from a psychologist or a substance abuse counselor
- Consider the range of treatment options available, such as outpatient, inpatient, and therapeutic residential communities
- Support groups for both your teen and your family, such as Al-Anon or local support groups, can be very helpful
- Consider if and when it might be necessary to involve legal advice or school counselors to manage the teen’s situation
Clearfork Academy Is Here To Help
If your teen is showing any signs of substance abuse, or you feel they may be, but aren’t sure, reach out to us at Clearfork Academy to explore professional help for teen substance use at our specialized teen treatment center. Our licensed counselors are very experienced working with teens and can provide them and you compassionate support.
Sources
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2021. What You Need To Know About Marijuana Use and Teens.
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2022. High-Risk Substance Use Among Youth.
NIDA for Teens. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
Mike Carter, LCDC
Alumni Relations Manager
Mike grew up on a dairy farm in Parker County, Texas. At the age of 59, he went back to college and graduated 41 years after his first graduation from Weatherford College. God placed on his heart at that time the passion to begin to help others as they walked from addictions, alcoholism, and abuse of substances. He is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and in the past few years he has worn many hats, from intake and assessment, group counseling, individual and family counseling, intensive outpatient and now he is working with clients, therapist, and families on discharge planning and aftercare. He also coordinates our Alumni Outreach Program.
