7 Signs of Teen Drug Abuse to Look For

A whopping 12.78% of teens ages 12 to 17 years old report having used marijuana in the last 12 months, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. One in eight teens used a drug in the previous year. With drug use prevalent and rising, parents need to be aware of the signs of teen drug abuse.

7 Signs of Teen Drug Abuse to Look For

Teen drug abuse is not only harmful physically, but mentally as well. Teens are more vulnerable to pressure and become addicted more quickly because their brains are still developing. During this time, neural pathways and cognitive function can develop abnormally due to mind-altering substances.

The following are several signs of teen drug abuse to take note of. If your child exhibits some of these signs, speak to a counselor on how to approach the subject and offer help.

Mood Swings

Teens have less impulse control than adults, and combined with adolescence, this can lead to mood swings. Add teen drug abuse to the mix, and mood swings can happen rapidly. One minute, your child may seem docile, and the next, angry, followed by crying. This can appear almost like manic-depressive episodes.

Change in Their Circle of Friends

Pay close attention to your child’s circle of friends. They may move away from friends who shy away from substance abuse and hang out with people who use drugs. The saying, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with,” attributed to Jim Rohn, is true. Even if your child’s friends do not imbibe regularly, they may find the behavior permissible.

Loss of Interest in Enjoyable Activities

Teens using drugs may lose interest in the activities they once enjoyed. They may insist on staying in their rooms and isolating themselves from friends and family. They may “zone out” during family functions. Their grades may drop dramatically as they lose focus on their academic goals. Anxiety, depression, and sleep problems may result from drug abuse, exacerbating this disinterest.

Trouble at School and Home

Teens on drugs can be confrontational and defiant, both at home and at school. They may get into arguments and physical fights with siblings and classmates. They may take this behavior one step further and break the law, causing problems in the community. Even those children raised in the church are still susceptible to the effects of drug abuse.

Sleeping More

Your teen’s sleep schedule may change as a result of drug use. They may sleep all day and stay up late at night. They may only rouse for another hit and then fall back to sleep. When forced to attend school and other events, they may act tired and put their head down to nap. Even stimulants that create a false sense of energy will end with a crash, resulting in more tiredness with low-quality sleep to rest and recharge.

Trembling or Shaking

Most notable with teen drug use is trembling and shaking. When the drug wears off and before the next hit, the withdrawal period can cause tremors in the hands. This shaking is uncontrollable; your child may try to hide it by wearing baggy clothes and pulling their sleeves over their hands. Withdrawal symptoms can also cause physical illness, such as nausea, vomiting, and flu-like symptoms.

Rapid Weight Loss

Most drugs can cause rapid weight loss, although some can cause weight gain. Drugs such as opioids and stimulants can take away appetite and lead to gastro issues, such as constipation, diarrhea, and nausea. Marijuana is notorious for cravings and can lead to weight gain and obesity in its users. Malnutrition, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances are common in teen drug abuse.

How You Can Help

You can help your child by keeping communication lines open. Ask direct questions and watch for little changes in their physical and mental health. Seek help from a professional if you feel your child is on drugs, and talk to the family about ways to support your teen. Breaking addiction is more than just removing drugs; breaking free may mean changing their friend circle, forming new, healthier habits, and leaning on God and family when they feel weak.

Seek support from Christian counseling in Culver City

Confronting and managing teen drug abuse is challenging, and you shouldn’t go it alone. Culver City Christian Counseling offers support to the family to bring everyone together with the common goal: to move past teen drug abuse and stay cohesive as a family unit. Contact our office today at Culver City Christian Counseling to schedule a session with a counselor in Culver City. Addiction is powerful, but it can be broken with God’s mercy and grace and the support and encouragement of other believers.