Not On the Straight and Narrow: 4 Telltale Signs of Drug Use in Teens

Published on: 28 February 2019 Last Updated on: 02 March 2020

Did you know that 6.1 percent of 8th graders, 9.6 percent of 10th graders, and 12.4 percent of 12th graders admit they have used an illicit drug recently?

With such shocking statistics, it’s clear to see there is a growing problem among young people. During the troublesome teen years, it’s common to experiment with new things. But this may lead your child down a dark path.

You may wonder how to tell if your child is using drugs. Fortunately, there are clear telltale signs of drug use in teens. Read on to find out if your loved one has fallen off the straight and narrow.

Telltale Signs of Drug Use in Teens:

During their teens, young people have to deal with many physical and emotional changes. This can make it difficult to pinpoint whether drug use is the problem or it’s simply a case of rebelliousness.

Looking for these next four signs will help you to know for sure.

1. Use Your Senses:

When your teen comes home, what can you smell on their breath, on their clothes or in their hair? Are their eyes red with constricted pupils? Signs of crack use also include blistered lips or burnt fingers.

Your teen may also rapidly lose weight, as they will be spending their allowance on their fix instead of food. If they are inhaling drugs they may also have respiratory problems, such as coughing or constant sniffing. If they are injecting they may have track marks on their arms.

2. Behavioral Changes:

Another way to tell if someone is on drugs is if you notice their behavior has changed dramatically.

Of course, arguing, anger, and moodiness may be part of the troublesome teen years. But if you also notice them defying your house rules, disappearing for long periods of time, and other reckless behavior it may be a sign of using.

After a night out with friends, is your teen clumsy, laughing hysterically, and obnoxious? Or do they look exhausted, jittery, or queasy? These behavioral signs are common with teens who take drugs.

3. Caught in the Act:

If you find drugs in their room or on their possession you’ve caught them in the act. Some other drug-related paraphernalia may include:

Tiny plastic bags with powder residue
Roll-ups
Tin boxes
Syringes
Burnt teaspoons or crack pipes

If you find any of these items, try not to overreact. Confront your teen, it may be an honest mistake after all.

4. Social Changes:

Your teen’s grades may be declining dramatically. Or they may keep on skipping school and other social activities that they previously enjoyed. Another sign of someone on drugs is if your teen ditches their friends to hang out with another unknown crowd.

You may also notice items or money missing from your home. This may mean your teen is stealing to fund their habit. Monitor any alcohol you have in the home as they may use it for payment.

Time to Take Action:

If you can see any or all these signs of someone on drugs, it’s time to take action. Encourage them to get support from professionals.

Lincoln Nova Vital Recovery has created a unique program that can help people to recover from addiction. Find out more here.

Some Things are Worth Fighting For:

Of course, these signs of drug use in teens may vary from person to person. But one thing is for sure: they are going to need you to fight alongside them on their road to recovery.

To keep your family close-knit and strong in times of distress, check out these fundamental pillars of a happy family.

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Prenatal vitamins are one of the first things that your doctor will recommend as soon as you get pregnant. This is one piece of advice that you shouldn’t ignore at any cost. It’s not for nothing that prenatal vitamins are considered to be the cornerstone of a healthy pregnancy. Regular intake of prenatal vitamins can help you to avoid complications and give birth to a healthy baby. Here are all that you must know about prenatal vitamins. Are prenatal vitamins and multivitamins the same? Many pregnant women think that since it’s about taking vitamin and mineral supplements, multivitamins will be equally effective. But that is not the case. Prenatal vitamins are loaded with appropriate amounts of minerals and vitamins needed to sustain and support a healthy pregnancy, especially folic acid and iron. Your regular multi-vitamins are not formulated to provide you the same effect. Why are prenatal vitamins essential during pregnancy? When you are pregnant, your nutritional requirements become higher. This is because your body has to sustain the baby growing within your womb. Having a healthy diet is not enough to provide all the nutrients that your body needs. Prenatal vitamins ensure that this nutrient gap is fulfilled effectively. In other words, prenatal vitamins make sure that your baby’s growth and development is not impacted due to any kind of nutritional deficiency in your diet. What should you look for in your prenatal vitamins? Prenatal vitamins come packed with different nutrients in varying amounts. The ingredients are meant to provide nutritional support to your body throughout your pregnancy and even during your preconception and post-delivery period. Among the essential ingredients to look for in your prenatal vitamins are the following: Folic acid Calcium Iron Omega 3s Vitamin A Vitamin C Vitamin D Vitamin E Vitamin K Zinc Iodine How to select your prenatal vitamins? While there are many prenatal vitamins available in the market, not all of them are created equal. That means all of them will not be equally effective for your body. You have to select a bottle of prenatal vitamins that will ensure you maximum nutrients and help you to have a healthy pregnancy. If you are looking for such effective prenatal vitamins but are not sure which one to choose, check out the SmartyPants Prenatal Complete Review. These prenatal vitamins are formulated to make sure that your baby receives all the nutrients needed for proper growth and development. Can prenatal vitamins substitute for a healthy diet? Prenatal vitamins are meant to provide your body with the required nutrients that you can’t get from your food. However, that doesn’t mean you can substitute a healthy diet with your prenatal. Eating a healthy and balanced diet is essential during pregnancy. At the same time, you will have to take your prenatal vitamins as well. You can’t avoid any of them. Also, taking prenatal vitamins doesn’t mean you are free to indulge in unhealthy food during pregnancy. So, stick to a healthy diet as well as to your prenatal vitamins all through your pregnancy. Read Also : All That You Need To Know About Dandy-Walker Syndrome Choosing A Diet Based On Your Personality Type How To Choose The Right Online Pharmacy

Not On the Straight and Narrow: 4 Telltale Signs of Drug Use in Teens