On the surface you might think that it is easy to recognize a teenager who drug abuse.
Behavioral Changes to Watch For
The behavioral changes may be noticed even before any of the physical changes have a chance to establish themselves. It is not unusual for teens to start acting differently once they start using drugs, and these changes can increase as the drug use intensifies. Changes to make note of include:
- A change in the friends that your teen spends time with.
- Mood swings or emotional instability, including aggressive or abusive behavior.
- Coming home late, ignoring curfew, or not coming home at all.
- Distancing themselves from the rest of the family physically and emotionally.
- Hyperactivity or inability to concentrate or focus for any length of time.
- Lying or stealing.
While all of the signs listed can be symptoms of something other than teen addiction, it should not be assumed that this is the case. It is very important to trust your gut instincts as a parent, and if something does not seem right with your teenager’s behavior or appearance, you should explore what might be causing the change. It is better to be overly cautious than to ignore signs, only to discover too late that your teen is addicted.