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Warning Signs of Teenage Drug Abuse

Drug abuse can have a profound effect on teenagers' relationships and future, and can result in the teen making poor choices in a variety of areas of his life. If you are concerned that a teenager may be using drugs, learning to recognize the warning signs and communicating regularly with the teenager can help you deal with the situation appropriately.

  1. Secrecy

    • If your teenager becomes secretive about his whereabouts, possessions or friends, recognize this as a possible warning sign. Mayoclinic.com suggest keeping track of your teenager's activities and friends in order to combat this secrecy. If your teenager begins to disappear for hours at time, find out where he goes and monitor whether the situation is appropriate.

    Drop in Academic Performance

    • A lower academic performance may establish a warning sign for drug use, according to Northern Illinois University's Education Department. Talk to the teenager's teachers and find out if the drop in academic performance is occurring in conjunction with other suspicious behavior. If the teenager struggles with one class, she may just need a tutor. If she begins to struggle with all classes, this could indicate a problem such as drug use.

    Change in Appearance

    • Question the teenager if his appearance becomes disheveled. Focus Adolescent Services reports that red or glazed eyes may be an indicator of drug use. If the teenager no longer cares for grooming or showering, this could also be a warning sign of drug use. This symptom could develop because of fatigue from continual drug use or because certain drugs contribute to an apathetic attitude.

    Disappearance of Money

    • If money begins disappearing from the house, question your teenage about the money. The teenager could use this money to buy drugs or settle debts. The teenager may not tell the truth about the disappearance of the money, so if you are suspicious, you should conduct a further investigation into possible drug use.

    Withdrawing From Family

    • While many teenagers withdraw from family a little, an unexplained sudden withdrawal from family relationships may indicate a problem with drugs. Monitor how the teenager treats her siblings and other members of the family. If the teenager becomes suddenly disengaged, ask her if she is having any personal problems and discuss drug use.

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