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Early signs of drug abuse in adolescents

When you learn that your child has a drug or alcohol problem, it’s normal to wonder whether you should have done differently, whether you should have seen it coming, and what warning signs you might have missed. In other words, how you could have overlooked such a matter? And, perhaps more importantly, when does drug use or abuse become addiction?

Early signs

These are difficult questions with difficult answers. The good news is that science has defined concrete early symptoms and warning signs that, if recognized and addressed, can assist adults in steering children away from risks that may make them more vulnerable to addiction.

Chances are your teen’s mood swings can be attributed to the racing and changing hormones that come with adolescence. In other words, teen mood swings are normal. You’ll want to pay attention, though, if your teenage son or daughter is experiencing mood swings along with changes in behavior or appearance, such as, losing interest in activities they once enjoyed, sleeping more than usual, Exhibiting physical changes like sudden weight loss, frequent nosebleeds, bloody or watery eyes, or shakes and tremors. These are behavioral and physical signs that your child could be misusing medications, or using drugs or drinking alcohol. Knowing the signs and symptoms of teen drug use can help you better understand if or when you should involve a professional.

When to intervene

When you are familiar with your teenage child’s thoughts and feelings, interests, and habits, you will be able to recognize early indications of trouble because you will be able to spot when something appears off or awry. If you ignore problems, try and justify underage smoking or drinking or avoid honest and open discussions with your child, occasional drug use can quickly get out of control. It is much easier to change behavioral issues when it first shows up, instead of when the situation escalates and a crisis occurs. Paying close attention to early signs of trouble, especially in children who are inclined to alcohol or other drug addiction, can significantly decrease the likelihood of a future problem.

As a parent or concerned adult, you can never intervene too soon.

There are five main factors that contribute to a heightened risk for addiction, spelling out the acronym “FACTS”:

• Family history
• Age of first use
• Craving
• Tolerance
• Surroundings

Many teenage addicts have a co-occurring mental condition, including depression and anxiety. The most effective treatment incorporates treating both issues, so seek out for rehabilitation services or treatment facilities with certified professionals who are trained to treat co-occurring drug use and mental health issues simultaneously. It is critical to understand that one disorder does not cause the other and that they occur simultaneously.

Intervention tactics

While resources vary by the type of community and region you live in, rest assured that help is readily available. Schools, healthcare experts, mental health professionals, and therapists are among the local resources. Begin your search for a drug rehabilitation provider that specialize in adolescent treatment. You can start by contacting your insurance company, as they can help you get in touch with reliable and certified practitioners.

Factors that lead to drug abuse – FACTS

If you are a concerned parent or a guardian who wants to ensure your child is not involved in drug abuser, you need to stay ahead of the game and keep a watchful eye. However, teenagers are really good at keeping their life private, making it is difficult to evaluate them. Nonetheless you can help teenagers by learning what contributes an adolescent drug abuse and ensure they have a nurturing environment. By understanding ‘FACTS’, you can assess if your adolescent child is at the risk of drug abuse:

FACTS:

• Family history
• Age of first use
• Craving
• Tolerance
• Surroundings

Family history

When someone in a child’s biological parents, siblings, or family members and friends have a background of drug use such as alcohol, smoking, etc.,  that child is more  be inclined towards  addictive behavior and is more likely to develop the drug addiction, compared to an adolescent who does not have a family history. According to research, immediate relatives such as, children, siblings, and parents) of alcoholics are eight times more likely to develop drug and alcohol addiction than people without family connection.

Age of first use

Another important risk factor for substance abuse is age. The younger a person begins to use alcoholic beverages or other drugs, the more likely it is that they’ll develop an addiction. According to current research from the National Institute of Mental Health, a person’s brain isn’t fully developed until they’re in their 20s and illegal substances can impact the “connectors” in a child’s brain, resulting in unforeseen challenges.

Craving and Tolerance

When an adolescent starts using drugs or alcohol at an early age, they could develop physical cravings and sensitivity to the drugs they use that can quickly lead to active addiction.

Surroundings

The environment could be the most visible indicator of substance abuse. Exposure to the consumption of alcoholic beverages and other drugs, whether within a family or a social circle, “validates” its consumption, making it appear to be something that everyone does. Parents have an important opportunity to serve as positive role models in this regard. This type of environment also allows easy access to intoxicants, making an individual more susceptible towards first use as well as opportunities to continue using.

A teenager’s life is surrounded by several influential circles. Teens learn about good and bad behavioral patterns beginning with their family members. When parents and other caregivers openly discuss the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse with their kids, the likelihood that they will abuse drugs drops by 50 per cent. Lead by example. Positive behavior modelled from you and other family members can have a massive effect on how the teenager perceives drugs and alcohol.

A teen’s circle of friends can also shape their beliefs and behavior regarding substance use. Teens are constantly trying to figure out how they fit into their world. As they work to find their place, they can be strongly influenced by peer pressure. If young people spend time with other teens who are engaged in risky, unhealthy behaviors, they are more likely to engage in those behaviors themselves.

Ways to Help Protect Your Child from Drug Abuse

It is natural for a parent to be concerned about what is going on in their child’s life. The most important question a parent may have is how to protect their kids from drug abuse.

If parents are unsure what to say, they would avoid the subject. However, according to the New York State Department of Health, most teenagers learn about the dangers of drug use from their parents, and fortunately, there are ways to prevent abuse.

Secure harmful substances at home

Prescription drugs are increasingly being obtained by children from their parents’ medicine cabinets. According to the New York State Department of Health, more than 4.5 million children have reported exploiting prescription drugs. Realize what’s in your cabinet and keep it locked. The same is true for alcohol. Be aware of what you have and keep it out of sight and out of reach of your child.

Get involved in your child’s life

It may become more difficult to remain active as children grow older, but it is critical for a parent to be physically as well as physically and psychologically present. Attend events involving your child, such as a sporting event or a recital. Also, provide emotional comfort by inquiring about your child’s day and assuring him or her that you are available for help if he or she appears upset. Your presence will facilitate open communication, allowing your child to feel more at ease discussing problems and asking questions. It will also enable you and see what is going on in your child’s life and get to know his or her friends and other children.

Lead by example

Though you may not realize it, your actions have a greater impact on your child than you realize. Set an example of having fun without the use of alcohol. Do not discuss stories about your youth drug or alcohol use unless they are accompanied by a lesson. If you approach stories about yourself in a lighthearted manner, your child may believe that he or she should follow the lead, or that you would not be disappointed if he or she abused drugs.

Create rules and regulations

When parents make rules that are unclear or enforce them too severely, their children react negatively or rebel. Set justification for negative conduct and discuss the regulations with your child to ensure he or she accepts them. As with any behavior, praise your kid for appropriate behavior and enforce punishment when he or she misbehaves. When a child understands and recognizes your boundaries, they are less likely to test them.

Discuss potential hazards of drug abuse

As a guardian or a parent, you need to create awareness among your children about potential hazards of drug abuse. Growing up, children often learn the sense of righteousness from their parents. Therefore, it helps to discuss some potential drawbacks of consuming and abusing alcohol or drugs at an early stage. You can relate to some examples among your clos circle or provide examples of other personalities that have incurred damages and losses due to addiction and substance abuse.