Since the physical and mental urge to use is so strong, it becomes very hard to stop using a substance. In some cases products common in homes and that have certain chemicals are inhaled for intoxication. And teens may also use illicit drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine. Of course, the effects of drug use vary greatly depending on the type of drug used, how drugs are mixed, and how they are used.

Shifts in mood & personality

• Being on the lookout for drug paraphernalia and signs and symptoms of drug abuse can help adults recognize at-risk teens.
• Teens may not seek drugs out but are instead introduced to substances by someone they know, such as a friend, teammate, or even a family member.
• Parents should receive notifications from school teachers or other school officials if their child is skipping classes or is exhibiting poor grades.
• Research has improved our understanding of factors that help buffer youth from a variety of risky behaviors, including substance use.
• Teenagers in Pennsylvania are 13.33% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

It’s vital to intervene you’re worried about your teen using substances. In this guide, you’ll find answers to questions caregivers like you have about talking to your loved signs of drug use one and keeping them safe. Other common signs include mood swings and erratic behavior as well as being negative, argumentative, paranoid, confused, destructive, or anxious.

• As a result, they can get misinformation about the potential risks of using drugs.
• Or teens may order substances online that promise to help in sports competition, or promote weight loss.
• While drug use can lead to mental health disorders, sometimes it’s the other way around.
• Especially for kids who are at higher risk of alcohol or other drug addiction, paying attention to early signs of trouble can reduce the likelihood of a future problem.
• You want to be calm and have a well-thought-out plan before confronting your teen.

Support for Me and My Family

Many therapists offer parent-adolescent relationship counseling if you’re unsure how you’re with your teen about drugs. Asking questions lets you know if your teen is well informed about substance use. Find out if they know about potential legal consequences and health outcomes. Like adults, teens may be more inclined to talk and open up when they feel safe. You can be their safe person by staying calm and prioritizing hearing their point of view. You friends’ to schedule a doctor’s appointment doctor’s for any medical issues that might prompt substance use.

Recognizing unhealthy drug use in family members

Many signs of drug use are also symptoms of mental health issues, including depression or anxiety. Approximately 12% of surveyed teens indicated “severe” substance use disorder, defined by this study as reporting six or more symptoms. Among this group, more than 60% exhibited at least two symptoms of substance use disorder in adulthood – an association found across alcohol, cannabis, and other drug use disorders. By comparison, roughly 54% of teens reporting two to three symptoms – indicative of “mild” substance use disorder – had two or more substance use disorder symptoms in adulthood. Higher severity of substance use disorder symptoms at age 18 also predicted higher rates of prescription drug misuse in adulthood. Find out what teen drug abuse is and how it could impact your life.

Teenagers in Colorado are 37.40% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in California are 24.46% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Arkansas are 24.84% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Drug addiction (substance use disorder)

Consequently, identifying the signs of drug use is a little more complicated than just looking for physical signs like “glassy eyes”—especially because not all drugs have the same side effects. Many teens who struggle with addiction also have a co-occurring mental health disorder, such as anxiety or depression. It’s important to recognize that one disorder does not cause the other; they occur at the same time. Experimenting with drugs or alcohol is tempting for teenagers because they may not know or understand the dangers of using substances—even just once. Academic pressure, low self-esteem, and peer pressure are just a few factors that increase their risk of substance use.

• Warning signs indicate that there may be a problem that should be looked into—not that there is definitely a problem.
• While rapid growth and changing hormones can take their toll on a teenager, there are specific signs that could be related to drug use.
• Teens are constantly trying to figure out how they fit into their world.
• Simple awareness that parents are monitoring their behavior wound up cutting teens’ use of alcohol or drugs by 40%, without any actual punishment being doled out, researchers found.

Teenagers in Ohio are 4.19% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in North Dakota are 34.92% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in North Carolina are 2.23% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

You’ll meet people who have gone through the same experiences, and you can have real-life discussions about drugs that you won’t hear in your school’s health class. While use of alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs is common among adolescents, previous studies have suggested that most teens reduce or cease drug use as they enter adulthood. However, this study indicates that adolescents with multiple symptoms of substance use disorder – indicating higher severity – do not transition out of symptomatic substance use.

Changes in Personality

McDonald is now a postdoctoral fellow at the Peter Boris Center for Addictions Research and the Michael G. DeGroote Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research at McMaster University. “These findings are consistent with the neurodevelopmental theory that teens are especially vulnerable to the effects of cannabis.” For context, the average THC potency of cannabis in Canada has increased from roughly 1% in 1980 to 20% in 2018.