Teenage prescription drug abuse is becoming a prevalent problem these days. That is mainly because compared to illegal substances like marijuana, heroin or cocaine, prescription drugs are more readily available and can be bought easily from drugstores.

The reported figures regarding prescription drug abuse among teenagers are alarming indeed. According to studies, one out of five teenagers has abused medication prescribed for pain. One out of five teenagers has also used both tranquilizers and stimulants. One in ten, on the other hand, is into cough medication.

If you are a parent to a teenager, how would you know if your teenager has a prescription drug addiction? The common signs of prescription drug abuse are described below.

1. Health. People become unhealthy after a prolonged period of prescription drug abuse. You should be concerned when your teenager feels lethargic most of the time, to the point of refusing to get up in the morning. A sudden change in your teenager’s weight is another indicator of prescription drug addiction. Redness of the eyes, pupil dilation and shaky hands are other signals that you should suspect prescription drug abuse with your teenager.

2. Attitude. It is normal for teenagers to be rebellious, or at least try to dissociate themselves from the rest of the family. However, when your teenager consciously changes his behavior in such a way that you no longer recognize who he is, this should alert you to the possibility that he may be into prescription drug abuse.

Your suspicion should be heightened if he begins to be secretive and if he always asks you for money but without telling why he needs it. It can even go to the point that he may steal things from home to fuel his addiction. Missing school or doing poorly in school is another indicator of prescription drug abuse.

3. Appearance. Changes in appearance can be tricky signs of prescription drug addiction because it may mean that your teenager is responding to peer pressure. If the change is too radical or if your teenager has totally lost interest in the way he or she looks, then you should check for prescription drug abuse.

4. Other signs. Aside from the physical and behavioral changes that you might see in your teenager, you should also look out for other signs in the home. If someone in your family is in prescribed medication, you should see if there are any missing pills or tablets in the bottle. You should also check if there are any other unfamiliar drugs at home. Missing valuables is another sign you should look out for.

What to Do If Your Teenager Has Prescription Drug Addiction

Once you have confirmed your suspicions that your teenager is doing prescription drug abuse, you should act immediately. It all starts with a talk with your teenager, although you could do prescription Drug Testing later. However, rather than focusing on the prescription drug abuse, you should zero in on the problem causing it.

Your teenager may get angry at you for what he may see as meddling in his life, but it is important for you to impress upon him that you are doing this because you love him. In helping him deal with teenage prescription drug abuse, it is essential for you to be honest with him and to cultivate trust and credibility with him.

Teen treatment centers have issued a ready- reckoner for parents to understand the various set of symptoms that their children can exhibit when afflicted with alcohol and drug abuse. In fact, it has been that teens today are more aware of the cocktail and combination of drugs that can make even adults gasp in disbelief.  Dual addiction or taking two types of drugs together or mixing drugs with alcohol is a fatal thing that some teens indulge in.  Here are some of the signs and symptoms prevalent in teens according to various types of drugs and alcohol that they indulge in:

Alcohol addiction: Symptoms include intoxication, erratic or unstable mannerisms, abusive language being used, mood swings, bloodshot eyes,  foul odor that reeks of alcohol on the body and breath, presence of a different set of friends who tend to be brash with a carefree streak of mind, presence of alcohol bottles hidden in certain places, bottle caps, and behavioral traits like stealing and lying
Nicotine addiction. Discolored lips, pale face, dry skin, tobacco smell on the breath, presence of an ash-tray and cigarette butts and ash strewn at certain places in the room.
 Inhalant addiction: Confused demeanor, mood swings, runny nose and smell of gasoline and such substances in the body.Cannabinoids: Signs that are associated with Cannabinoid abuse include delirious mindset, fluctuating highs and lows in behavior: euphoria followed by episodes of lethargy, reddish hues in the eye, inability to sleep.
 Narcotics: The signs displayed by teens who are addicted to narcotic substances include overexcitement, slowed heart beats and higher tolerance towards pain
 Depressants: It has been observed by teen rehab programs that teens that are addicted to depressants have lowered inhibitions, lack of sleep, dizziness, low blood pressure and decreased heart-rate.
Hallucinogens: Teens who are addicted to hallucinogens have problems with their sleep, their vision tends to be blurred at times; they are paranoid and they are not able to be in sync with their emotions.
 Cold medications: Teens who are addicted to cold medications, an infamous form of prescription drug addition, tend to show signs that include inability to sleep, anxious behavior and rapid heartbeats.
 Dissociative Addiction: Those who abuse dissociative anesthetics suffer from increased heart rate, memory loss, aggressive behavior, mood swings, high blood pressure and even vomiting.
 Ecstasy: Teen treatment centers have seen that cases of those who are admitted to Ecstasy and such types of club drugs usually tend to be euphoric with an inability to sweat, memory loss, fluctuating heart beats and being overtly promiscuous.

All of these signs and symptoms that are typical of different types of teen substance abuse also have uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when these drugs are denied.  It is the responsibility of the elders to see to it that teens are not coerced or induced in substance abuse because not only cause various health complications but they can also result in crimes like  thefts, robbery, molestation, rapes and homicides.

The Progression of Chemical Use from Experimentation to Addiction:an understanding of the differences “drug abusers” enabling denial “drug testing” “Sacramento” “granite bay” “folsom” “fair oaks” “Carmichael” “adolescent” “substance abuse” “teen drug abuse” “adolescent drug use”

Teenage binge drinking is one of the biggest banes of modern societies. Increased prosperity, easy access to alcohol, reduced price of alcohol and proliferation of pubs with licence to operate through the night are some of the key reasons for increased teenage drinking problems. Increased peer pressure and the need to look “cool” amongst a group of friends are other reasons of increased teenage alcohol abuse. Let us look at some symptoms to check if your teenager is addicted to drinking:

Disruptive Behaviour: Teenage binge drinking is often associated with disruptive behaviour. Binge drinking often happens outside the home at night clubs and often after having drunk several glasses or bottles of alcohol your teenager might lose control and enter into street fights, many vomit in public and others hurt themselves or others unknowingly. Police complaints or visits to accident and emergency section of hospitals could become a regular feature for you with teenage drinking problems. Teenage alcohol abuse can also lead to serious accidents if your teenager gets involved in fights with friends or other people at the night club.

Risk Taking: Teenage alcohol abuse is also associated with increased risk taking and teenagers are more prone to drinking and driving, stealing from home and taking loans from friends to fuel their addiction.

Increased Alcohol Tolerance: Teenage binge drinking also results in increased tolerance of alcohol. You will notice that in social gatherings and parties your teenager displays exceptional capacity to drink and remain sober. Teenage drinking problems are also associated more frequent outings and visits to nightclubs and bars.

Lack of Control: Another symptom of teenage binge drinking is your teenager’s inability to stop drinking once they have started. Teenage alcohol abuse is usually associated with regular vomiting after drinking and complete loss of control of body, thoughts, speech and actions. When this is pointed out, they may accept that they have a problem, but are unable to do anything to overcome it. 

Withdrawal Symptoms: Teenage binge drinking also results in several withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, sweating, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, depression and loss of appetite or fatigue. , Under advanced cases of teenage alcohol abuse your teenager may also get withdrawal symptoms such as hallucinations, confusion, seizures or fever. These are advanced cases and if you do notice these symptoms, you should talk to a doctor immediately.

In the book “Solving Teenage Problems” several tips to deal with alcohol abuse have been provided. Teenage binge drinking needs to be curbed else we will end up building a society of socially disruptive individuals with little sense of responsibility and accountability. Early education and open relationship are crucial to avoid teenage drinking problems.

A girl wakes up with an unpleasant surprise after a long night of drinking This video was made for a Scholarship. Watch part 2 www.youtube.com
Video Rating: 0 / 5

It’s a reality that many parents are faced with, but none look forward to: Realizing that a child needs help for substance abuse and addiction. If you are still unsure if your child is using alcohol or drugs to the extent that he/she needs a teen drug treatment program, the following guidelines may help. Signs of teen drug or alcohol use include:

Sudden, unfavorable changes in friends

Negative changes in schoolwork or truancy from school

Depression, withdrawal, or hostility; these may also be indicative of a mental health-related co-occuring disorder, which can also be addressed with the proper teen drug treatment program

Increasing secrecy about possessions and activities

Use of incense or other room deodorizers

Increased “coded” language with peers (beyond standard text message coding)

Excessively borrowing money or stealing

Drug paraphernalia (some teens may dismiss lighters or pipes as “keepsakes,” and nearly anything as a friends’ belonging)

Inhalant products, which includes many grooming and household chemical products

Eye drops, mouthwash, and other maskers

Of course, some adolescents may exhibit only a handful of these behaviors – but it’s important not to dismiss them if you strongly feel there is a problem. Also, bear in mind that any illicit drug use or teen alcohol use is unlawful, and your child should be reprimanded even if addiction is not yet an issue.

If you recognize any signs of substance abuse in your child, it’s best to find a reputable teen drug treatment program as soon as possible. Look for a rehabilitation facility that:

Incorporates traditional 12 step principles, as well as an experiential approach that addresses personal goals

Employs a faculty of licensed professionals specializing in substance abuse treatment, particularly teen drug treatment

Offers opportunities for family involvement, such as home communication and regular family workshops

Teen drug treatment is only successful when it leads to long-term sobriety; so, it also pays to inquire about the long-term success rate among program graduates of an adolescent drug rehab.