Is your teen using drugs?
By: Administrator
Updated: December 19, 2011
It can be difficult to know the signs of a normal teen from a teen that is abusing alcohol or drugs.
Teens that are troubled may decide to turn to drugs and alcohol to feel accepted by their friends, ease or alleviate uncomfortable feelings, or help them feel good or less inhibited. The good news is there are ways that parents can distinguish between normal teen behavior and a teen that is hooked on drugs. Here are some warning signs to tell if your teen may be using drugs.
A normal teen:
- Quick to differ from others beliefs
- Understands the consequences of the actions they take
- Understands fairness and can notice inconsistent patterns in logic
- Is completely engrossed with their own thoughts
- Slightly isolated or withdrawn from certain social situations
- Has mild changes in disposition
- Feelings become more fervent
- Begins regarding the self or the individual as the center of all things
- Begins to question authority
- Changes in morals and values
A teen that is abusing drugs:
- Confusion between who they are and what they do
- Sees the drug as him or her
- Quick to blame others for how they are feeling
- Recognizes themselves as a person who does drugs
- Has an obsession with drug culture and drug based activities
- Becomes socially aloof, shy, reserved, detached
- Extravagant changes in mood because of drugs
- Sense of self importance becomes significantly greater
- Does not recognize the reality of their own condition
- Is argumentative with authority
- Refuses to recognize authority and values they once recognized
- Can recall only selected information
