Signs of substance abuse in teens

Knowing what exactly to look for will help you determine whether your child is drinking or using drugs. Parents who are familiar with a few signs will find their knowledge very useful, especially when the signs of drug use or alcohol use may just be normal teen behaviour.

Mood swings or behavioural changes are a part of growing up as teens go from becoming a child to an adult. However, if you start to recognise more and more of these signs and symptoms, a picture of drug or alcohol use may begin to become clear.

Here are some of the signs to look out for:

Abrupt or sudden behavioural issues

You may notice an abrupt change in relationships with family members of friends. Loud and obnoxious behaviour. Deceitful or secretive. A lack of coordination and clumsiness.

Lack of interest in their personal appearance

Teens involved in substance abuse may have a messy and careless appearance. They might also wear long sleeves in warm weather to cover up body, have burns on fingers or lips or exhibit poor personal hygiene.

Developing new habits

Chewing gum or mints is a trick often used by adolescents to cover up breath. Constantly going out and having cash flow problems, a sudden need to have food, locking their bedroom and avoiding eye contact are all signs of substance abuse.

Developing new health problems

It is important to keep an eye on your child if they suddenly start suffering from nosebleeds, having a runny nose that is caused by an allergy or a cold, develop sores or spots the mouth or experience regular headaches and sweatiness.

Suddenly having problems in school

If your teen is usually good in school, complaints from teachers can be a sign that something is wrong. Loss of interest in extracurricular activities, hobbies or sports is also worth investigating further.

Unusual objects in the home

Careless teens can often leave unusual containers, wrappers and drug apparatus, such as pipes, rolling papers, or smoking devices like bongs made out of toilet paper rolls and aluminium foil around the home. These are clear signs of drug use.  If you notice prescription pills from the medicine cabinet going missing or the disappearance of money, alcohol, cigarettes and valuables you should sit down and talk with your teen.

However, it is important you avoid making accusations without knowing whether or not their child is abusing. Few of these symptoms alone are definitive proof of teenage alcohol use or drug use, but may fit into a larger pattern of symptoms.