5 Signs of Substance Abuse in Teens

Do you describe your teen as unmotivated? Are you finding yourself making excuses for dismissive, rude, or deceitful behavior? Or, have you noticed significant changes in mood or personality?

It might be typical hormone-driven teenage behavior.

But what if it's something more?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, as many as 1 in 3 teens have tried illegal drugs including alcohol, vaping, nicotine, and cannabis.

For many, a little experimentation during the formative teenage years will be the beginning of a life-controlling addiction. Approximately 9 out of 10 people suffering from addiction report that they first tried their drug of choice in high school.

What is Substance Abuse?

Substance abuse is the intentional use or misuse of any substance intended to produce an altered mental state. This includes the illegal use of legal drugs like prescription pills or alcohol by minors or by individuals who are not under the care of a physician.

Substance abuse in teens includes:

• Alcohol

• Nicotine

• Vaping

• Marijuana

• Cocaine

• Methamphetamine

• Psychedelics

• Abusing Prescription Medications

• Abusing OTC Medications

• Huffing Aerosols

• Ingesting Chemicals

Common Signs of Substance Abuse in Teens

Substance abuse often goes undetected as teens take great measures to avoid detection by parents, teachers, law enforcement, and other adults. It's also important to acknowledge that the signs of substance abuse don't always seem obvious. Here are a few common signs that might indicate a substance abuse problem.

1. Changes in Mood or Personality

If your once thoughtful, engaged, or polite teen has become withdrawn and secretive and gets 'moody' when asked questions about his or her whereabouts, this change may be more than a bout of teen rebellion.

Since different substances produce different effects, it can be difficult to label mood/personality changes.

Hyperactive behavior might be related to the use of a stimulant like cocaine or methamphetamine.

Depressed, sullen, or withdrawn behavior might be related to the use of a depressant like marijuana or alcohol.

Bizarre or irrational behavior might be related to the use of psychedelics like acid or mushrooms.

2. Significant Behavioral Changes

Teenagers become increasingly independent. That's a fact of typical development. But there is a difference between developing independence and developing destructive behavioral changes.

If you begin to notice significant behavioral changes like a once punctual teen suddenly having trouble making curfew or getting to class on time, there is something more than 'being a teenager' going on.

A teen that is having trouble keeping track of money or meeting obligations might be a teen who is spending their allowance or earned income on drugs.

A teen who is having trouble being on time might be a teen who is trying to fit in a few minutes to get high or who loses track of time because they are high.

A teen who is suddenly making a lot of excuses might be a teen who is spending their time unproductively seeking out drugs and getting high rather than tending to his or her obligations like homework, sports practices, or chores.

3. Changes in Physical Health

As a parent, one of the first signs you might notice are changes in physical health. It might start small like an unexplained bruise or a cold sore that just doesn't go away. Depending on the drug of choice and how frequently they are using, you might see a range of physical symptoms manifest.

If your teen is using alcohol or marijuana, they might be excessively tired, lethargic, or lack energy. They might experience otherwise unexplained weight gain or frequently have slurred or unintelligible speech.

Teens using stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine, or prescription abuse of drugs like Ritalin, you might notice rapid-fire speech, heavy perspiration, an inability to sit still, or frequent nosebleeds.

4. Poor Hygiene or Changes to Appearance

If you begin to notice concerning changes to personal habits, like less frequent bathing or strange smells, you might be correct to be alarmed. Of course, smelling cigarette smoke or weed on them is a tell-tale sign of substance abuse.

But the signs aren't always this obvious.

Sometimes a teen who is using marijuana may be more interested in getting high than taking showers. Sometimes, they might be more likely to skip routines or care less about their appearance because they are high.

If your teen goes from caring a great deal about their appearance, always taking extra time to get ready before leaving the house, to suddenly embracing an ultra-casual style, there is something behind this change. It would be smart to consider substance abuse as a possible cause for the change.

5. Changes in Performance

Whether it's school, sports, or personal relationships, substance abuse habits impact daily life. Even in the very early stages of addiction, teens will make plans revolving around satisfying their need for a substance.

Watch out for a teen who suddenly no longer eats lunch at school but insists on packing a lunch or not taking one at all. He or she is likely doing something else during their lunch period and they don't want to be confined to the lunch line.

A teen who is suddenly struggling in a subject they used to be strong in might not be completing homework or spending time studying for tests. A teen who is blowing off sports practices or who has experienced a dramatic decrease in performance might have other priorities that are distracting them from their sports obligations.

School, sports, and friends all take a considerable amount of effort. If a teen is diverting that effort to feed a budding addiction, these things will suffer.

Notice the Signs of Substance Abuse in Teens

Have you noticed changes in your teens behavior? Substance abuse is a common culprit for things like lacking motivation, underperformance, and mood or personality changes. However, it's important to recognize that substance abuse isn't the only cause of these changes. Often, substance abuse begins as a way to self-medicate deeper mental health struggles.

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Need help? Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch can provide residential substance abuse treatment for teens ages 14-17. Speak with an admissions specialist today.