Here are some of the signs of drug use. these signs that
don�t necessarily mean drug use for certain, but signs
that should cause you concern, and may require you to investigate
more formally.
- Dramatic changes in behavior. Teens will evolve throughout
adolescence and you can expect some variations in behavior, but
your teen is essentially still the person you know well, and
dramatic shifts in personality are worrisome. If your normally
placid kid becomes very aggressive, or your normally outgoing son
becomes very withdrawn, you need to investigate why this is
so.
- Rolling papers, pipes, a bong, roach clips, burnt spoons etc.
Drug paraphernalia is a pretty good indicator of a problem, and
once teens acquire drug taking accessories, you can be sure
they�ve passed the initial experimentation stage of
use.
- Incense. A lot of teens will develop an interest in cloying
and perfuming incense as they attempt to cover up the smell of
drugs. Incense in the bedroom or a smell on the clothes can be a
warning sign of drug use. Also, mouth wash, air fresheners etc.
Like incense, if your teen suddenly develops a need for scent
masking agents, you might want to wonder why all of a sudden this
is so.
- Teens can be a bit slow moving in the morning, but very
unusual sleeping habits should cause some alarm. If your teen
seems to stay awake for days on end, or sleeps for days on end,
they may be using and recovering from drugs, most worryingly,
Crystal Meth.
- Small burns on the thumb and forefinger; caused by smoking a
joint down to the very end.
- Marijuana stickers or posters. A lot of teens like to
advertise their usage and do so through stickers, pins on school
bags and books, or through posters in the bedroom. A marijuana
poster above the bed is a pretty good signs of an unhealthy
interest in the drug. The code 420 always refers to marijuana
smoking, and you can often see 420 stickers on teen school
bags.
- Seemingly talking in code or in a secretive manner with
friends.
- A sudden change in friends.
- A sudden need for more money.
- Signs of depression or isolation from the family.
- A sudden drop in academic performance. When your previously A
and B teen becomes a C and D teen, something is going on.
- Your teen no longer participates in activities they used to
find very enjoyable and rewarding.
- Appearing intoxicated, an obvious one, but a lot of parents
tend to explain away odd behaviors with wishful thinking.
- Bottles of cough syrup or discarded prescription pill bottles
found in their room or possessions indicate drug abuse.
- They don't seem motivated to accomplish any worthwhile goals.
Normal healthy teens will have interests, passions and desires to
accomplish. These desires may not be academic, and they may not
be interests that you approve of, but most teens have interests
and activities. If your teen doesn�t seem to have any,
they may be abusing drugs or alcohol.
