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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Best Hair Loss Treatment: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Getting One

Losing hair is such a terrible thing to happen to anyone. Hair is an important part of your body, and losing it can hurt your self-esteem. It is, after all, your crowning glory. Your hair contributes to your overall look. You often use your hair to express your individuality through style, color, and length. Best Hair Loss Treatment: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Getting One What can you do when your hair starts thinning? A hair loss treatment might be the answer. However, before getting one, ask yourself these questions first: 1. Do you really need the treatment? Like plastic surgery, hair loss treatment is an elective procedure. It’s not like a medical emergency that is urgent. You get a hair loss treatment because you wanted to and not because your life is at risk if you don’t push through with it. Thinning hair is something a lot of people will experience when they grow older. It happens due to a lot of reasons, such as medications, illnesses, styling habits, and genetics. The most common cause is androgenic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness). It’s a condition where the hair follicles on your scalp can no longer produce hair. If your hair is starting to thin and you’re bothered by it, seek professional consultation. Most healthcare service clinics such as Vera Clinic offer free consultations so you know your options. 2. Why do you want to get a hair loss treatment? Well, obviously, because you want to have a head full of hair again. But, what’s the real reason why you absolutely need to have a hair loss treatment? Is hair loss disrupting your normal day-to-day activities? Is the thinning of your hair causing you to lose confidence in yourself? Will the loss of your hair cause your whole world to change or is it all in your imagination? Will a hair loss treatment help you function normally again? Take a deep breath and try to think things through. Sometimes, negative feelings could just be clouding you, or maybe you miss styling your hair. If you think that you have a good reason to undergo the treatment, then by all means proceed with it. 3. Can you afford it? Hair loss treatments can be affordable or expensive. It will depend on the kind of treatment you get and where you will get it. There are temporary treatments and permanent ones. There are over-the-counter drugs that are used for topical applications to slow down the thinning of hair or promote hair growth. Permanent treatments such as hair transplants are expensive; these are surgical procedures done in cosmetics clinics. Health insurance does not cover cosmetic procedures, including hair loss treatments. So, if you’re seeking to treat your problem, your funds have to come from your bank account. Consider your other expenses, too. Remember that your emergency funds are not for hair loss treatments. 4. Are you physically and mentally ready to receive a hair loss treatment? Consider your health whether you plan to use over-the-counter drugs, topical solutions, or transplants. Research the ingredients of the medicines, creams, or ointments. See if you are allergic to any of them. Additionally, you may not be eligible for a hair transplant if you have certain health conditions. You cannot undergo surgery if you have: Diabetes Hypertension Heart problems Skin or scalp disorders Psychological conditions Mental readiness is also crucial when getting a hair transplant. It doesn’t matter if your body is able; if your mind is not ready, you feel scared, or you’re unprepared for the outcome, don’t do it. Hair transplants can cause scars on your scalp, so you need to be able to live with it. Also, not everyone can have a hair transplant. Only those with thinning hair are eligible for the procedure. If you’re already completely bald, then maybe you can opt for topical solutions or drugs to regrow your hair. 5. Do you have the time for recovery? Hair transplants, like any other cosmetic surgeries, require some recovery time. It’s important to have the time for rest to lessen the risk of complications after getting the surgery. Your recovery period can affect your other daily activities, such as work and family time. It’s also another reason to consider whether you have the money for a significant procedure. Since you will require time off of work, then it means you won’t have a salary unless you have a passive source of income. If your hair starts thinning and you’re worried about being completely bald, there are many hair loss treatment options for you. Take the above things into consideration before getting one. Hair loss treatment should not be a decision to make out of the blue, you should always take time and consider all of your options stated Sydney PRP hair treatment clinic. Read Also: Proven Ways To Grow Hair Faster And Stronger 6 Proven Ways To Deal With Hair Loss For Women

Testosterone Replacement Therapy What To Expect

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12 Mind-Boggling Effects of Technology on the Brain

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Seeing as we are regularly using technology, it means that we are regularly not developing longer attention spans. 8. New Forms of Identity: One interesting change that technology has brought is the ability to construct an identity through the technology you possess. One clear example of this is the split between Mac and PC users. Things like Nixon watches and other items can help a person to express how they feel as a person. 9. Self Help: Interestingly, the problems or stressors that are sometimes caused by technology can be solved by it too. Take anxiety, for example. The anxiety related to excessive social media use could be partially treated by applications or information found online that is intended to treat anxiety. 10. Improved Decision Making: While parents everywhere are concerned about the impact of first-person shooters and similar games on their kids' brains, evidence suggests that such games could have benefits on cognition. Vision and decision making skills are improved in some cases when individuals spend a lot of time playing games like first-person shooters. 11. Memory Formation: The use of phones in situations that previously were absent from technology has a potential effect on our formation of memories. While we're swiping away, life goes on around us. Our concentration is situated on the screen, distracting us from the sensory information that converges to form concrete memories. 12. Interconnectedness: Subcultures and groups of like-minded people have the ability to connect on levels that were never thought possible in the past. One group of people who like a specific film can have hours and hours of discussion with a similar group across the world. Not only that, but those groups can expand outward, recruit new members, form friendships, and that group will create subgroups. The point is, people are interconnected to others in the world who share their interests and beliefs. Jump Onboard and Be Mindful: The effects of technology on the brain are very real, and sometimes it's difficult to tell what is helping and what's hurting. In most cases, the value of an effect will depend on the person. Technology is here to stay, though. Everything from interviews to paychecks is handled online, and we have the information to keep you informed and on top of things. Read Also: 6 Ways To Promote Healthy Brain Top Bad Habits That Hurt Your Brain Power 3 Reasons Why Online Degrees Are Better

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