Teens and the Dangers of Drug Abuse

Few things will ruin a person’s life like drug addiction, especially if that person is still fairly young. Teens who fall into drug use may find themselves without an education or the skills needed to enter the workforce and create a stable life for themselves. They may also have to battle a number of health issues that they otherwise wouldn’t have had to deal with. Even those who get sober will always have to be vigilant about relapsing. Teenage drug use is serious, and parents need to be aware of the dangers it faces

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What Drugs Do Teens Often Abuse?

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In order to fully understand what dangers drug abuse poses for your teen, you first have to know what drugs your teen is abusing. The term “drug” is a very broad umbrella that includes thousands of different substances, some of which are legal and some of which are not. Even drugs that are legal, including prescription medications, can be abused. That means it’s important to remember that even if your teen isn’t using something illegal, they could still be abusing drugs.

But let’s focus on illegal drugs. There are still many different drugs out there, and many of those drugs have multiple variations. Some have been around for quite some time, while others have more recently been created in labs and sold to unsuspecting first-time users.

Here are some of the drugs teens commonly use:

  • Cocaine
  • Synthetic marijuana
  • Ecstasy/Molly
  • Heroin
  • LSD
  • Inhalants

It’s important to note that marijuana is also often used by teens. However, with the drug being approved in more and more states as a medical option, marijuana may be falling more into prescription drug abuse than illegal drug abuse. It’s a gray area, especially since there are arguments about how serious the dangers of marijuana are. It is very likely that marijuana affects the development as reported by studies such as the one published by the Neuropsychology Review in 2010. Synthetic marijuana is a very different drug that is made in a lab and is often cut with other drugs, making it more dangerous.

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The Common Effects of Teen Drug Abuse

Teen drug abuse can be easy to spot or a little more difficult. Again, it depends on what drug your teen is using, how much they’ve used, and for how long they’ve been using. Every drug abuse case is different, and very few of them are simple and straightforward. That said, here are a few things to watch for.

These are all symptoms of withdrawal, which means your teen has not used whatever substance they have become addicted to in a short period of time:

  • Shaking
  • Showing flu-like symptoms
  • Running a fever
  • Sweating
  • Vomiting and Nausea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability

Because many of these symptoms can be caused by things other than teen addiction, you need to gather more information before you hold an intervention or talk to your teen about drug use.

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Behavioral Signs of Drug Abuse

When you’ve noticed your teen having any of the physical issues listed above, look for some of these behavioral signs of drug use:

  • Loss of interest in their hobbies.
  • Becoming a social loner.
  • Spending more time with friends you’ve never met before.
  • Having problems with schoolwork.
  • Being sick all the time.
  • Acting suspiciously.
  • Lying, especially about their whereabouts.
  • Neglecting their responsibilities.
  • Stealing money.

If you’ve noticed several of these signs, it may be time to search your teen’s room. This is certainly an invasion of their privacy, though, and could lead to a major argument when your teen finds out that you’ve done this. If you’re concerned that they are on drugs, don’t hesitate to perform a search, but do be aware that it is likely to cause a fight.

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When you search their room, here are a few of the things to look for:

  • Bottles of pills
  • Small baggies of powder
  • Pipes
  • Lighters and candles
  • Rolling papers
  • Bongs
  • Needles
  • Aluminum foil
  • Aerosol cans
  • Spoons that are dark on the bottom (from having been held over a flame)

All of these things can be used to do drugs. When added to the physical and behavioral signs of drug abuse you’ve witnessed in your teen, you have a good case for them doing drugs.

Frequently Asked Questions about Teen Drug Abuse

Different illegal substances affect brain development in different ways. Some drugs cause the brain to release dopamine and other chemicals that make the user feel happy and content. Other drugs block the receptors in the brain from receiving signals from the body. For example, some drugs block the pain receptors, so the user doesn’t feel any pain at all. Both types of drugs can permanently change how the brain works. While these changes can affect anyone who uses drugs, teens are more at-risk because their brains are still developing.
What Are the Most Common Warning Signs of Teen Drug Abuse?
  • Lying and being secretive
  • Being sick fairly often or continually feeling ill
  • No longer caring about their appearance
  • Changing friend groups
  • Suddenly having no interest in their favorite hobbies
  • Skipping class or work
  • Acting differently

The more signs your teen exhibits, the more likely it is that they are addicted to drugs.

If you’re not involved in your teen’s life, it can cause them to feel like you don’t care or love them. It’s also easier to miss some of the early warning signs that your teen is struggling with a problem. Your teen may not feel as comfortable coming to you to discuss things, especially those things that are potentially embarrassing or complicated. For example, teens who are struggling with their sexuality, but don’t feel comfortable talking about it with their parents may turn to drugs as a way of dealing with their emotions.
If your teen is addicted to drugs, yes, they need to seek professional treatment. It’s extremely difficult for anyone, no matter what their age, to get and remain sober without the help of a professional rehab facility. The experts here will do more than teach your teen how to deal with cravings—they will help your child get to the root cause of their addiction and deal with that cause.

Getting Professional Help

Now that you’re armed with these teen drug abuse facts, it’s time to get your teen the help they need. The longer you wait, the more damage to their body and mind they’re doing. That’s why ADAPT is here to provide your family with the help you need. Contact us today to learn more about our teen drug addiction treatment options.

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OUR GOAL IS SIMPLE – TO HELP OUR CLIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES GET WELL.

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