What are the textbook signs that tell your teen is on drugs? Please help us.?

Answer 1

usually they suddenly have a big change in behavior(always bad), not just becoming irritable or stuff puberty might cause, but stuff like stealing, especially cash(to buy the stuff). really wide bloodshot eyes, rubbing their nose constantly(coke), extreme lazyness(weed), slow reflexes(weed), excessive nosebleeds(coke), funny smelling clothes(smell their shirt when your doing laundry, Im pretty sure you will be able to smell weed if they are doing it), going out for a very long time or staying really late after school, extreme hyperactivity or exhaustion, stuttering or other problems speaking, "shifty" eyes(eyes darting all over the room), not able to concentrate, acting dazed, staggering around, walking around aimlessly, having a sudden change in sleeping schedule, thats about it I think. some of these wont occur, unless they are doing TONS of drugs because these are general symptoms caused by various different ones.

Answer 2

I agree with many of these answers that it really depends on the type of drugs. The lists that were given I disagree with because if you are on one type drug those lists apply but another drug may have none of them. The biggest indication in a 19 year old girl with two children in my opinion is if she suddenly loses interest in her family life and is only concerned with not having to care for them so that she can have time to go do drugs whether it is marijuana or meth, or something even harder. Prescription drugs are the hardest to spot the abuse of because there are so many that someone can take at home and still function at a semi-normal level. Your number one questions should be- Are the children in a safe environment when they are alone with her? Is there any indication that she is exposing the children to the drugs or to dangerous people? Are the children being cared for by competant people ie. family members, friends? She is an adult but the children do not have a choice. Make them your first priority and if they are fine, then just keep your eyes open and let her know you are there if she needs you. And be there. If they are not fine, then you have no choice but to make sure they are.

Answer 3

Well, when I was using drugs, paraphernalia was all over my room, hidden, but there...I'd stay gone for days with no phone calls to my family. Bloodshot eyes are a sign of marijuana use. In bright lights if the pupils don't shrink, then that's methamphetamine or crack/cocaine. Heroin, they wouldn't be able to move while they were high. Check the veins on the inner arm, between the toes, and behind the knees for red dots or lines that are pink or brown, where they could possibly be shooting up. Extremely bad body odor is another sign. Usually they stop taking showers and caring for them self. If they tend to over indulge in cologne or perfume and have incense burning they could be trying to cover up a smell. Depending on the the drug and how long they have been using the signs would be different. Also, depending on how old the child is....I started using heavily at the age of 12. So its possible at any age. If the child is grown and out of your house, it will be a lot harder to find out.

God bless you.

Answer 4

I have asked this question to. I still am concerned about my step-daughter. I am sure that she is on some kinda drug. And my biggest concern is that she has two small children 3 and 7 months and she is pregnant again. She is only 19! I feel like I should stay out of it but I also think that I should step in and do something cause of the kids. I just feel like my hands are tied! But the signs that I see in her are that she lost a lot of weight in about two weeks, she is always asking for money 20 here 30 there, So we just stopped giving to her. Her thing was always that the baby needs diapers. That just gets old. I hope that I could Help. But, Ii kinda know what you are going threw!!!

Answer 5

They are Irritable, stay out all night and sleep all day, they have no ambition, their peers are not really desirable friends.

The cure: don't enable them in any way like giving them money. Know where they are and who they are with at all times. Don't allow them to hang out with certain people. If underage and they try to do these things, take their car away or even call the police if they go someplace that you don't approve of. You must not fight yell or criticize them. It won't work. Just be firm and do what you know is right for them.

Do love them enough to get psychological help for them. Most people who do drugs have a very low self image. Which means that they don't' love themselves enough to choose what is good for them. They need to know why this is.

Answer 6

Irrational Behavior (On both ends of the spectrum...extremely angry to manic happiness)
Phone calls at all hours of the night
Skipping School
Stealing money

rather than wondering and letting it slip further out of control, you should purchase an at home drug testing kit (avail at Walgreen's or CVS at the pharmacy counter) and do it yourself. You as a parent have the right to do this when there are questionable circumstances arising in your home. You would be surprised how quickly this can sprial out of control, so it is something you need to act on now.

Answer 7

If they are acting abnormal; combative with the parents, uninterested in usual activities, blood shot eyes, paleness, drinking excessive amounts of water, asking for money carrying around eye drops, twitching, doesn't look you in the eye. Also call the school and talk with the teachers to see if they have been truant from class or disruptive.

Answer 8

red eyes
eating lots
stupidness
cant stand properly
cant talk properly
dont look you in the eye
froget to wash
always ask for money and not tell you what there spending it on
there face is pale
for heaver drugs marks on the arm
black eyes
no sleep
on the top of the world

Answer 9

Hardest part of drug abuse is unless the person who is abusing driugs committs and cooperates to change there is nothing anyone can do. Talk with your son/daughter about your concerns, you will need their cooperation for anything to be successfull. Many people bounce in and out of rehab countless times.

Answer 10

just so you know ...it is normal for a teen to be moody alot. it kind of depends on which kinds of drugs...with other ppls persciption medications, they may be shaky and unable to focus also they may be paranoid. If you notice them sneaking around , that could also be a sign ...or if they get sick often....i hope this helps