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.

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Signs and Symptoms of Prescription Drug Abuse by Teenagers

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”

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Teen Treatment Centers Discuss Substance Abuse Signs and Symptoms

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.

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Key signs of teenage binge drinking problems

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.

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When to Seek Teen Drug Treatment: Signs to Look For

In most cases, situations of teenage drug abuse become more complicated because their families were not able to take stock of the situation earlier. Parents of a teenager are not professionals in the subject of drug abuse and hence it is quite normal that they do not read the signs or mistake them for some other condition. This kind of ignorance however can take an immense toll on the entire treatment process later on. It can actually impede treatment because the person’s abuse will keep on growing to higher levels. That is the reason the families must read about the way a drug abuse works as much as possible.

Drug abuse signs can be found out in the behavior as well as the physical characteristics of the teenager. Here is what you should be looking out for.

Behavioral Signs of Teenage Drug Abuse

1. The teenager will not find restful sleep at night. Insomnia will be quite common. Youngsters who are consuming drugs may stay awake for long hours at night and then feel quite sluggish and lethargic on the next day.

2. They will not be quite interested in eating too. This will make them lose weight to an appreciable extent. But in some cases, the opposite effect is observed. These teenagers will develop an appetite and will eat voraciously. This can cause weight gain. Whether the person loses or gains weight will depend on the kind of addiction the person is in.

3. When teenagers use drugs, they become quite secretive about everything. You will find the defensive and guarded approach in the way they say things. Lying can become a mainstay too. Teenage drug abuse victims will lie at the drop of a hat, often for no reason at all.

4. School grades dropping is a very common indicator. If the teenager has been consistent in academic performance but has been showing an inexplicable dip lately, then you have to investigate whether he or she is with drugs or not.

5. You will find that they lose their drive to perform also. Teenagers, once they start consuming an addictive substance, will start relying on it to a great deal. They will not want to achieve anything in life. Goal-making, being oriented in life, etc. will have no meaning for them.

6. There will be sudden and unexplained mood swings. You will find that they begin throwing tantrums at the merest pretext and become quite irritable and nervous.

7. You will notice several changes in the teenager’s environment. This might include a new friends group and new places that they visit. They will also become reluctant to speak about these changes. You might also find several curious objects in their collection, such as tin foils, rolling papers, tourniquets, syringes, roach clips, etc.

8. They will always need money. If not given to them, they might also begin stealing.

Physical Signs of Teenage Drug Abuse

1. Defective walking manner that appears staggered.

2. Lack of coordination with the different parts of the body, which creates poor reflex signals.

3. Palms that are always sweaty.

4. Hands that are always unsteady.

5. Eyes have a blank look in them and are often bloodshot.

6. Face looks flushed or pale. There may be an increase in the amount of facial fat.

7. The person’s breath will begin to smell differently, often carrying the odor of the addictive drug in it.

8. Typical smoker’s cough that is characterized with a hacking sound.

9. A continuous runny nose.

10. Nausea and feeling of vomiting.

Apart from these, there are some signs that you can actually see. You might find some syringe marks on their hands and feet which might be places where they have injected the drug into their bodies. These will especially be found on the arm or the feet. There are also some characteristics such as a large amount of talkativeness and a great uncharacteristic zest for getting things done, even if they are not needed at the moment. This is actually a method in which they will try to cover up for their addiction so that the other person does not suspect anything, but in truth, it becomes excessive.

Being parents, it is necessary to learn how to identify these symptoms in your children and, if they persist, they must not be avoided. Today, there are many centers where teen alcohol and drug abuse treatments are provided. Look for such an option and get the child into treatment before it is too late. When people begin an addiction early on in life, there is a great chance that their addiction will become drastic quite soon and then treatment will only become more difficult.

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Some Telltale Signs Of Teenage Drug Abuse

Teenage drug abuse is a cause of worldwide concern and the parents of the teenagers are even more worried. Most parents are unaware about their children’s habits and by the time they know about it and bring their children for treatment it is already too late. This happens as parents do not have the knowledge to read the signs that show that their children are taking drugs. Parents mistake those signs and generally do not link them with an addiction condition. This ignorance will makes the parents pay a heavy price and they put the lives of their children in danger too.

The addict will keep on with their addiction and this will make the treatment program for drug addiction in South Carolina even more complicated. To educate the families about the drug abuse and the treatment for drug abuse is the main key to solve the problem of teenage drug abuse. The drug abuse signs in teenagers can be found out by noting the change in their behavior and also the physical changes in them.

Behavioral Indications of Teenage Drug Abuse in South Carolina

1. The sleep of the teenager who is into drug abuse will get affected. He or she will appear restless. Insomnia is a common thing to happen when anyone stats taking drugs. The teenagers will spend night without sleeping and the next day will feel tired and sluggish.

2. The hunger of the teenager who is into drug abuse in South Carolina will also get suppressed. They will not feel hungry and will avoid eating complete meal. As a result, their weight will start decreasing rapidly. In some teenagers, exactly opposite of this will start happening. They will feel too hungry and they will get overweight too fast. The weight gain and weight loss also depends on the kind of addiction they are into.

3. Teenagers who are into drug abuse in South Carolina appear to be scared and start living a secret life. Whenever they will say anything they will sound as if they are hiding something. They will be untruthful to hide inconvenient aspects of their lives and the lying habit will increase to a point that they will start lying without any reason.

4. The drug abuse will affect their studies and as a result their school grades will start dropping. This is a greater cause of worry if the teenager always used to have good grades.

5. Teenagers who are into drug abuse in South Carolina will become too moody and will have no goal in their life. They will live their life for the moment and avoid any discussions about their future plans.

6. The teenagers will act strangely; like at one point they will be all energetic and next moment they will say they are too tired. They will have many mood changes in a day.

7. The peer group of the teenager can also give a strong indication. The teenager will start being with their new friends and will start visiting new places. They will keep their parents out of their new life. The parents should take note if they find any syringes, roach clips, rolling papers and tin foils in their children’s pockets.

8. The teenagers who are having drugs will also demand money and if they do not get what they want, they will not hesitate to steal.

Physical Indications of Teenage Drug Abuse in South Carolina

1. There will be lack of coordination in different parts of their body.

2. The gait will become quite stooping and look unhealthy.

3. Hands of the teenagers who are into addiction will always be unsteady and their palms will always be sweaty.

4. The eyes of the teenagers will be bloodshot but expressionless.

5. The faces of such teenagers will appear pale.

6. The breath of the teenager who is into addiction will be different and he or she will try not to go close to people while talking.

7. They will have cold quite often accompanied by hacking coughs (smoker’s cough).

8. The teenager will feel nauseous too often.

For parents, it is necessary to know all these signs to identify whether their teenagers are into drug abuse. If the parents are educated on this issue then they can confront their child and ask them to get into a treatment mode and overcome their addictions. If the addiction will get detected early the patient will respond fast to the treatment and will soon be out of danger. Hence, it is important to understand these telltale signs and symptoms.

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What Are The Signs Of Teenage Drug Abuse In South Carolina?

The teenage years can be a time of great emotional stress as it marks the transition from childhood to adulthood. It is at this particular time when teenagers have to grapple with a number of issues like search for identity, peer pressure, amorous and family relationships, as well as scholastic performance. These may be overwhelming to some teenagers as they undergo this critical stage in their lives.

For those who can’t adjust and handle the pressure, the use of illicit drugs becomes an enticing option to cope with, alleviate or escape from the issues that beset them. This is one of the primary reasons why quite a large percentage of teenagers resort to drug abuse. Teen drug abuse has now become a common and prevalent problem in modern society. In fact, drug abuse is currently the foremost concern among parents as cited in the National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse.

Parents can’t possibly monitor their teens 24/7 without invading their privacy, and they can’t physically be present at all times, particularly in today’s fast paced world. So what exactly are the signs that parents should look for to keep their teens away from prohibited drugs?

The first thing to thing to look out for is the teen’s behavior. In general, a teenager will manifest behavior patterns quite different from his normal behavior prior to addiction. Parents should also be skeptical once their teenager starts to behave aberrantly and becomes withdrawn or aloof to other members of the family. They may also exhibit irritability, paranoia and violent behavior. However, such changes may not be drastic, but are the most obvious signs of drug abuse. Drug abuse has far-reaching effects on the user’s mood and performance. A teenage drug user will most likely suffer from long-term psychological effects from drugs that modify their mindset as well. As a consequence, a teenager can have degrading performance in school or in the workplace.

On the other hand, there are also physical signs of teen drug abuse that parents should be on the lookout for. Among the red light warning signs of the effects of teen drug abuse are blood-shot eyes, nagging cough, lethargy, irregularities in eating and sleeping habits, constantly tired or hyperactive, sudden weight loss or weight gain, teeth clenching and muscle tension, convulsions, dehydration, and consequently, death.

Teen drug abuse may start as a phase of experimentation in a teenager’s life, in their effort to adapt and resolve certain issues that typically highlight this crucial stage in their lives. Nevertheless, it could also spiral out of control and lead to serious and severe drug addiction that may even persist up to adulthood. This can be very debilitating and difficult to resolve. Teen drug abuse, when addressed during the initial stages can be rectified and lead to a better quality of life not only as a teenager, but ultimately as an adult as well.

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Signs of Teenage Drug Abuse