5 Telltale Signs of Drug Addiction in Teens

5 Telltale Signs of Drug Addiction in Teens

With the surge in drug use among adolescents in the last couple of decades, illicit drug use has become a grim concern for the directly affected parents, caretakers or guardians. Based on a 2015 study on drug uses in Delhi teenagers by AIIMS in association with NDDTC, they discovered that even the children of merely 9 years of age were under the wicked spell of drug uses.

As a parent, being on the verge of reading the signs online may truly be one of the stark signs that led you to the toil. Parenting is the toughest job universally, wherein suspicion of drug uses can shake you to the core. However, it is safe to initially grasp the fundamentals of drug use and its effects before taking any related action.

While drug abuse or addiction is a chronic disease that is characterized by uncontrollable and compulsive drug-seeking, and short-term drug use can be prescribed medication or experimenting one-time or occasionally. Long-term use can alter the learning, memory, judgment, and slacken the decision-making and behavior.

Watch out for the key signs that you may notice in your child, which can allow you to understand the unknown grounds of drug use and abuse. 

you can also detect all the things by the help of Private Investigator that can be short out the problems by the help of third eyes.

Physical Appearance and Effects

Drugs impart certain chemical substances that can take a physical toll on the body of the individual, which is in the case of its constant use. While the lasting effects differ based on the use of varying drugs being consumed by the individual, it can still be easily noticeable when you live in the same house as them. The mysterious bruises or wounds on arms, flushed cheeks, and dry lips along with the repulsive need to hide them in your children are not difficult to spot for too long. The red, bloodshot eyes every day in your child is a very strong sign of drug abuse of one of the most common and conveniently available drugs, marijuana. The strange smell on hands, mouth, and clothes shrouded by constant chewing of mints or gum is also one of the alarming signs. If your child is wearing the same clothes, full sleeves in the summertime or messy, unhygienic demeanor are noticed by you or a loved one, be sure to count that as well.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

This is one of the explicit signs that can directly lead you to believe that your child is actively involved in drugs. Containers that do not belong to the house and drug-related equipment or devices like bongs, butane lighters, syringes, rolling papers, roach clips, hookahs, glow-sticks, surgical/dust masks are not lying there for idle purposes. Drug paraphernalia can also mean that your child may also be involved in the illicit dealing or peddling of these drugs. You can find these items in your child's bedroom, their desk, vehicle or backpack.

Mood Swings

Drugs contain the very ability to take over your mood and mental disposition. Like a see-saw, they can elevate you to highs while also making you feel as low as the ground we walk on and off. If your child is acting detached from the realities of life, it is a subject of grave concern because it cannot be ignored even if they are not involved in drug use. With a distorted sense of time and date, they might also act highly suspicious or paranoid for no good reason. A long-term effect is also the feelings of anxiety; this can make your child constantly apprehensive of the regular activities in life and fearful of changes.

New Habits in Daily Life

Formation of new habits in your child is something that will take you by surprise. New friends or even so much as a new friend circle, while breaking old friendships or not prioritizing them is something that every teenager goes through. But it comes with its foul chances. A decline in academic performance, lacking the energy to participate in extracurricular activities along with complaints from school needs to be regarded with serious concern. Untimely cravings or sudden lack of appetite is a strong lead for the same. This is your child planning to lead a new lifestyle that you did not provide them with.  

Mysterious Behavior or Secrecy

The major activity in the life of drug addicts is covering up the trail and this is where most of them fall through. If they are demanding privacy or hiding their matters, it is a part of growing up. But if it comes along with disappearances for long periods, usually nocturnal and ungodly hours, it is something questionable. And when they do show up, they are not making eye-contact. Stealing money from inside the house, harmless shoplifting, going AWOL from classes for days adds to the mystery. Being secretive or acting mysterious and withdrawn is a sign of major lifestyle change which invites doubts.

As a parent, if you see these signs present, this is not a matter you can shy away from without going to any kind of extremes. Your child is into drugs because they felt a need for it; you must remind them that you are there. Wherever you go, the drugs will be conveniently available for them. Be it the Internet, tobacco shops right around the corner or gas stations. If you cut down the need for it and avoid neglecting them, they will be back on track.