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.

Read Also:

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

4 Reasons Why You Might Feel Tired During The Day

It is very normal to be tired throughout the day from time to time. However, if you notice that you feel tired every day over a long period of time, there may be something going on with your body. Ongoing fatigue and the constant feeling of tiredness can adversely affect your mental and physical wellbeing, which can make it hard to go about your daily life, so it is important to try and pin-point the cause of these sorts of issues before they take hold. Luckily, once you figure out the cause of your tiredness, making a few simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference to your energy levels throughout the day. Here are 4 Reasons Why You Might Feel Tired During The Day: 1. Caffeine intake Most of us like to have a few cups of coffee or tea to give us a little boost throughout the day, but consuming a lot of caffeine during the day can cause you to lose sleep at night. This is because caffeine is a stimulant, and while it is great to make us feel more alert and give us energy during the day, it can keep you up at night if you consume too much of it. People who consume too much caffeine may experience issues such as insomnia, irritability, muscle tremors, fast heartbeat, and fatigue, all of which can have a serious impact on your overall health. If you think that your caffeine intake may cause you to lose sleep at night and feel tired throughout the day, you should limit the amount you consume each day, or stop drinking tea and coffee a few hours before bedtime. 2. Poor sleeping habits It is recommended by the Sleep Health Foundation of Australia, that the average adult should get 7-8 hours of sleep per night. However, due to different age and lifestyle factors, you may need less than 7 hours or more than 8 hours of sleep to function throughout the day. The main point is that this sleep has to be uninterrupted because disrupted sleep can cause fatigue during the day. If you create a sleep routine for yourself and go to sleep at the same time in the same conditions each day, you will find that it is a lot easier to get to sleep each night and that you feel more rested in the day. This is because of your internal body clock that gets used to a certain wake and sleep cycle as time goes on. If you are struggling to get to sleep each night, you should try to make your bedroom the right environment for sleeping. Most people find that a dark, quiet room with cool temperatures will help them to get the best night’s rest, so you should try to make these changes in order to sleep well at night. 2. Eating a big meal Nutrition can have a significant impact on your mental and physical wellbeing, so what you eat during the day can prevent or cause fatigue. Choosing a healthy and well-balanced diet can help you to beat fatigue and tiredness. Foods that have a higher concentration of carbs and sugar are not very good fuel for the body compared to lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Eating raw and whole food can do so much more for your body, but you have to remember to wait at least 3 hours between meals to avoid indigestion. You should also consume dinner at least 3 hours before you go to sleep, in order for your body to properly digest your meal. If you feel hungry before going to bed, bananas are a good choice for a snack because they are rich in magnesium, which helps the muscles relax so that you can sleep easy. 3. Sleep disorders According to a recent study, more than 60% of Australians suffer some kind of sleep disorder that severely affects their quality of sleep. And because sleep disorders can affect all aspects of your physical and mental health, it is important to consult a doctor or a sleep specialist when you exhibit any signs or symptoms. One of the most common sleep disorders that a lot of people may have without knowing is sleep apnea, which is a serious sleep disorder that can affect you in several different ways, but mainly affects a person’s breathing as they sleep. Currently, there is no cure for this disease, but there are many ways to manage and treat the problems that this condition may bring on. One solution that most doctors recommend for patients is a combination of a sleep apnea mask and a machine, like the models available from CPAP Direct. These machines help patients to breathe easier as they sleep so that they can sleep through the night and in turn feel energized during the day. There are many reasons why someone might feel tired during the day, but only you can determine what is making you feel tired over a long period of time. If you are not sure about what the cause of your tiredness is, think about your lifestyle factors and your sleep routine to see if any changes can be made. If you still feel tired throughout the day after you have made a few minor changes to your lifestyle, contact your doctor as soon as possible so that you can help you with your fatigue during the day. Read Also: Why The Best Time To Relax Is When You Don’t Have Time For It 5 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Manage Anxiety at Work Why is sleeping well so important for job performance?

Get Help With Your Addiction In Boulder

Addiction doesn’t just affect you. Addiction can affect your friends, family, and everyone else around you. Addiction can make it difficult for bystanders to be around you. You may find that you’re pushing the people you love away even if that’s not your goal. If you’re afraid of how addiction is hurting you and those you care about, then consider this a sign that you should reach out for help. Places like the Addiction Center of America or the Sunshine Behavioral Health in Boulder are great resources for you to explore. If you want to know how you can seek help for your addiction, then keep reading. Know that you have a problem Admitting to addiction can be really difficult for someone to do. It’s a brave thing to look within yourself and understand that you are a human being with flaws and are coping with a debilitating disease. No one wants to admit that they’re sick. But understanding that you suffer from substance abuse disorder can help you overcome your addiction. It’s the first step you take when you want to regain control over your life. See the signs within yourself If you suspect you have a problem with addiction, there are lots of resources to look at that will give you insights into the signs of substance abuse. You can’t admit that you have a problem if you aren’t aware of all the signs of alcohol or drug addiction. Some of the signs are You’re choosing drugs or alcohol over activities you used to love to do. These can include hobbies, social gatherings, or work events. You’re not taking care of yourself because you’re too high or drunk to You’re missing work due to substance abuse Your friends and family members have expressed concern over your symptoms You’re hiding things from those you love so they don’t see you using. You can’t stop using Talk to your friends or family about your addiction Opening up to those you trust most will help you air your concerns. While it may be embarrassing to talk about at first, expressing your desire to get help will give them notice too. They’ll be able to give you moral support by offering you encouragement or accompanying you to your program. It might make you feel better to clear the air and talk about your problem openly. Friends and loved ones can also hold you accountable for your actions. They can help monitor your journey to sobriety and offer an outside perspective you can’t see. You’ll grow closer during this process and hopefully come out stronger than ever. If you need help talking about addiction with your loved ones, click here. You might find it helpful to understand the best practices for starting the conversation. Reach out to your doctor Calling your doctor to talk about your addiction is another great way to find help here in Boulder. Your doctor will have the medical knowledge and resources to get you treatment as soon as possible. They’ll be able to get the ball rolling to heal your addiction. They’ll be able to assess whether or not you need inpatient care or detox. Detoxing from drugs and alcohol can be extremely dangerous when not under doctor supervision so please don’t try it alone. Call your doctor for help. If you don’t have a doctor, here are some quick tips for you to follow to find one. Know your options A lot of people think rehab centers demonize the disease or will get you in trouble. That’s not true at all. A rehab center practices confidentiality, so you don’t have to be afraid of others knowing about your addiction if you don’t want them to. And they have a lot of different treatment options for you to choose from. Some will give you the option of outpatient treatment. This isn’t always a good option for everyone but if it is for you, then you’ll be allowed to freely leave the center whenever you wish. This gives the patients the most control over their lives and allows for them to continue living normally while they seek treatment. There are also inpatient options, which a lot of doctors recommend if you’ve been addicted to something for a while or need to detox. This will ensure that you are safe and can’t go out and do drugs or alcohol too soon after treatment. While you aren’t allowed to leave on your own, this does allow you to shock your body out of its addictive patterns. It’s a very effective method for becoming sober. You can also seek therapy, go to group sessions, and practice religious exploration to combat your addiction. The most important thing to remember when choosing from your wide range of options is to pick something that is best for you. Understand how you can afford treatment Unfortunately, it’s true that drug or alcohol treatment centers can be extremely expensive. If you don’t have a plan in place before you enter one, you might find that you can’t even afford to continue. You need to know what options are available to you when it comes to paying for treatment. Most rehab centers, including the ones in Boulder, will take insurance to pay for treatment and most insurance companies provide plans that cover some or all of the cost of addiction treatment. If you don’t have insurance, government health has plans that cover some of the cost of treatment as well. In the event that you’re still finding it hard to come up with the pay, then don’t lose hope. Many rehab centers are flexible and will work with you to find a payment plan that works for your budget. There are also private and government-funded charities that will help cover the cost. There’s a lot you can do before you give up. Don’t give up! Addiction can be difficult to manage and everyone will have some sort of setback in the process. Just don’t give up! No matter the circumstances, you still deserve to be treated for your drug addiction and you still deserve to have a normal life. Research, talk to friends and family, and seek help. You’re not alone on this journey and there are thousands of people out there who have had success beating their addiction. Read Also: How To Live Stress-Free Planning a Family Vacation as the Kids Grow Up Make Your Vacation Less Stressful With the Following Tricks

8 Home Gym Systems You’ll Want To Try Out

Are you building a fitness sanctuary in your garage or basement? You have to check out these 8 home gym systems. It'll be hard to choose just one. Home gym systems are accessible spots in one's home for exercising, usually situated in the garage or an extra room in the house. More and more people are opting for home fitness sanctuaries as opposed to going to commercial gyms because it presents certain benefits. Let's take a look. Advantages of Having Home Gym Systems : First, gym systems save time. Going to a commercial gym and back home would normally take up to an hour or so, but having a home gym takes just a minute to get to. It also removes the excuse of skipping the gym due to traffic if the commercial gym is located far from one's home. Another advantage of a home gym system is you buy the equipment just once, which is inexpensive compared to using a commercial gym. Commercial gym membership usually requires a monthly subscription fee and if you are going to be working out for many months or years, it might be more cost-effective to go for the home gym option. Lastly, one of the greatest benefits is adherence to the training. Having a home gym largely reduces the self-imposed excuses that you have for yourself on why you should not be working out. Adherence means not only doing your training but doing it consistently. At the end of the day, you're only going to be getting the benefits from exercise if you're doing the exercise right. Building the perfect home gym requires you to have excellent equipment and home gym systems that will help you reach your fitness goals, and train often and consistently. A home gym needs a product that is compact with the ability to do it all and with no restrictions. If you are looking to build the perfect home gym, consider the best eight home gym systems listed below. 1. Thane Total Flex Home Gym : This ultra-compact system can also be thought of like a traveling gym as it can go along with you virtually anywhere and then be set up quickly for gym-quality workouts. When space isn't an issue, the ultra-compact Thane Total Flex is here to save the day. It easily folds up to the size of a suitcase and has a handle for portability. With over 50 exercises targeting muscles from head to toe, it has a reclining seat for lower body workouts and can fold up smaller than a suitcase. However, the resistance may be too low for the super fit. It is perfect for apartments but it's not optimal for big strength gains. 2. Marci MWM-988 Stack Gym : Tone your entire body with the versatile Marci MWN-988 stack gym. It offers a dual function for upper and lower body workouts. It also has an excellent flat station, all of which adds up to effective targeted training. However, it offers only about 150 pounds of resistance. It is built with strong steel tube framing and comes with high and low pulley stations. It assembles in just a few hours and is relatively compact. 3. Total Gym XLS : Designed for use by the whole family, the Total Gym XLS works with every fitness level and can help target almost every major muscle group. It has a 400-pound capacity and no assembly is required. It also comes with a short six-month warranty. It is also useful for workouts ranging from cardio to strength training to stretching. It offers compact upright storage and also includes 5 workout DVDs. 4. The Powerline BSG10X : It has a hard-to-find 10-year warranty on its frame. On top of that, it is built with 11-gauge steel which assures maximum strength-building potential, reliable functionality, and the long-lasting durability of construction. That means this investment will last, giving you time to learn the many ways you can use the system to develop gains and good habits. It features an easy to adjust 160-pound iron stack and is mostly assembled out-of-the-box. It utilizes military-grade aircraft cables and has 2200-pound tension strength. However, the foam handles tear over time. Powerline BSG10X is a professional gym quality unit. 5. Body-Solid EXM 3000 : Sculpt your body with an intense efficient workout on the Body-Solid EXM 3000. You will be amazed by this home gym's versatility. It features an easy pin weight adjustment, a small footprint that is ideal for tight spaces, and a workout poster that lists 20 exercises. It offers a wide array of strength training exercises for up to three simultaneous users, making it ideal for large homes and family workouts. It features contoured durafirm pads for support. It also has weight stacks that are within easy reach and a multi-function press arm station. It is one of the best home gym systems if you have the space for it. 6. Bowflex PR1000 : Anybody can achieve amazing results using the patented technology of the Bowflex PR1000. This home gym system features a flat pull down bar and a horizontal bench press. These are perfect for developing the lean toned and V-shaped torso many fitness fans dream of. It includes up to 210 pounds of resistance, a rail for rowing training, and a 300-pound maximum capacity. 7. Powertec Fitness WB-LS14-P : Reach your maximum potential with the Powertec Fitness WB-LS14-P. It features directly loaded weights for a natural feel but with the safety of a machine. This home gym system boasts a press capacity of a staggering 500 pounds. It combines a standard incline bench with the versatility of a single step press. Unlike many other home gym systems, no leg press gets in the way when you use the bench. Optional attachments are available and it's not limited by total stack weight. It offers an easy assembly with good instructions. It offers handlebars on the bench for stabilization and ipsilateral arms for better performance. Read more, for more informative content. 8. The Bowflex Xtreme 2SE : It lives up to it is a brand's good name by offering a total body workout in as little as half an hour. The unit allows users to move quickly between arm and leg workouts without the need for changing tension cables. It features an ab pulley and harness to build defined abs, a unique 5-way hand grip that adds flexibility, and an ergonomic adjustable seat for comfort. It also boasts resistance that is upgradeable to 410 pounds and 70 easy to learn exercises. Reach Your Ultimate Fitness Goals : If you are going to build a home gym, these are some of the home gym systems you should not miss out on. This selection of equipment will help you keep in shape in the comfort of your home. For more information, contact us. Read Also : What Are Popular Mind And Body Exercises Available At A Gym? Top 10 Muscle And Strength Building Exercise At Home You Can’t Out-Diet Your Training

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