How to Detect a Drug Problem With a Teen

The war against drugs is every parents worst nightmare in today's society. We can preach "Just Say No" until we are blue in the face, but the harsh reality is that our teens face unbearable peer pressure. If you are among the many parents who fear their teen may be using an illegal substance, but you're not sure what to look for, the following should help you on the path to discovering the truth.

Instructions

1. Notice if money is missing repeatedly. This is one sign that is a bit difficult to pin on your teen in the beginning of their drug use. If they're taking minimal amounts from your purse or wallet to start, you might think that you just miscounted or misplaced the money yourself. But as time wears on and it becomes an ongoing problem, larger amounts of money start disappearing and your teen begins displaying other signs of drug use, you can be certain that they are taking your money to support their habit.

2. Determine if your teen has recently change her group of friends. This is a pretty big indicator, especially if the friends they had initially were clean cut kids who stayed out of trouble. If you notice that your teen's new choice in friends appear to be less respectful, kids who do not care about school, kids who do not care about their appearance, or kids who seem to find themselves in trouble frequently, then the warning flag should go up.

3. Determine if there has been a drop in your student's grades. Your teen doesn't have to be an A+ student initially for you to notice a drop in grades due to drug use. You know your child and what their norm is. If they begin falling below this, use of an illegal substance could very well be playing a key role. The further they get pulled into the world of drugs, the less they will care about everything else around them in the real world. Less time will be spent studying as they will be spending more time worrying about how and where they will be getting their next dose of pleasure from.

4. Notice if your teen experiences a change in appetite. If their appetite fluctuates in an extreme direction, one way or the other, chances are it is because of illegal drug use. The effects will vary, depending on their drug of choice. Some will leave them feeling ravished, while others will leave them with no desire to eat whatsoever. If you notice this to a continual problem, begin secretive room searches to find any hidden paraphernalia or drugs they may have hidden.

5. Be aware of behavioral changes. All teens will act out at some point in time, it's only normal. But if your teen begins to lash out frequently, acts paranoid, sleeps excessively, or no longer wants to participate in family events, you have a major cause to worry. Drug use leads to drug addiction. Addiction takes place in the brain. The brain is what controls the way we think, act and feel. This sign is quite possibly the greatest indicator of drug use and at this point drug testing would be a strong option to consider.