How to Tell When a Teen Is Using Marijuana

Unfortunately, most teens run the risk of falling into the temptation of drugs, and it's a parent's job to help keep them safe, healthy and drug free. When a teen is using marijuana, there are usually different signs in his behavior and appearance that will be a warning to parents. Some of these warning signs are easily confused with the normal changes that teens experience during adolescence, so it's necessary to be constantly attentive to these forewarnings to tell when your teen may be using marijuana.

Instructions

1. Be conscious of any changes in your teen's eating habits that may tell of use of marijuana. Marijuana often causes overeating due to the increase in appetite it causes in many people who use it. If your teen comes home from hanging out her friends and appears to be binging or simply eating much more than normal, she may be using marijuana.

2. Notice if your teen laughs excessively or uncontrollably on a regular basis. Laughter is a healthy part of life, but if your teen seems to burst into laughter at random times or has difficulty stopping laughter at inappropriate moments, it is possible that marijuana may be the cause. A common side effect of marijuana use is a euphoric feeling that often is associated with extreme fits of laughter.

3. Avoid falling into denial that your teen could be using marijuana. Many parents want to believe that their sons or daughters would never try drugs, so they ignore the warning signs or create excuses. Ignoring the problem only delays the necessary help and treatment your teen may need to stop using marijuana and could lead to more serious issues like experimenting with other drugs, overdoses or even death.

4. Look closely at your teen's eyes if you are concerned he might have recently been using marijuana. Marijuana generally causes the eyes to become reddened, bloodshot or glazed over. It may also appear that your teen is having difficult keeping his eyes open in this case.

5. Watch for any changes in your teen's energy level to tell if she might be using marijuana. Teens who are using marijuana often exhibit a sudden decline of liveliness resulting in laziness and lack of motivation. If your teen is usually very active and involved in outdoor or sporting activities and suddenly spends much more time inside the house or on the couch watching TV, marijuana could be behind the transformation.

6. Learn to recognize the smell of marijuana, which may show up on your child's clothing or belongings. Marijuana has a sweet though often skunk-like smell that usually becomes attached to clothing and other materials very easily. Your child's fingers and breath may also smell of marijuana when he comes home from using it.

Tips & Warnings

• Extreme thirstiness may be a sign of marijuana use due to the dry feeling of the mouth it causes in people who use it. This side effect is often referred to as "cotton mouth" by marijuana users.