Is Your Child Using Drugs?

At The Halliday Center, we recognize and appreciate the effort parents put into caring for their children. It’s not an easy job, especially as they grow more independent.

When your children start spending more time outside of your supervision, it’s vital to watch for early signs your child is on drugs. We aren’t advocating for helicopter parenting, but early recognition of your child’s drug use is essential to protecting them from facing serious life hurdles.

You may think there’s no need to worry about your child, but the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS) reported that 1-in-8 teenagers have used an illicit substance. The problem of kids on drugs is more prevalent than you’d expect, making it more important than ever to be informed.

In this article, we share some symptoms to be aware of and how to have an honest conversation with your children about drug use. But first, let’s dive into some of the statistics.

Source: NCDAS

Understanding the Landscape of Adolescent Drug Use

Being informed is part of your job as a parent. Knowing the reach of drug abuse in teens, the most common drugs they’re using, and why they turn to drugs is essential, especially when you’re preparing to talk to your child.

Current Trends and Statistics

Although some of the statistical numbers differ, there’s no debate that substance use among adolescents is high.

As our society returns to normalcy after COVID-19, the number of teens misusing alcohol, opioids, hallucinogens, and other substances is beginning to rise and pass the pre-pandemic levels. However, the number of adolescents misusing cannabis and nicotine, while still around 30%, has decreased since the pandemic.

Despite these trends, statistical analysis from the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) has concluded that 1 in 3 high school seniors and 1 in 10 eighth graders used drugs illegally in 2022. So, even if your kid isn’t using drugs, they most likely know someone who is.

Many statistics consider kids as young as 12 adolescents, meaning substance abuse issues start younger than you’d probably think. It’s important to understand the scope of drug use so you can help your children before they’re in a position to try drugs.

Source: NIDA

Commonly Abused Substances Among Teens

Teens are most likely to misuse substances they can easily get ahold of, but it’s not uncommon for them to seek out more illicit drugs. The most common misused drugs include:

• Nicotine.
• Alcohol.
• Marijuana.
• Opioids.
• Cocaine.
• Inhalants.
• Methamphetamines.

A lot of these drugs are found in the house, or easily bought off the internet. Opioids are even commonly prescribed to teens after wisdom tooth removal surgery or after sports injuries.

If your children’s friends are using drugs, that may be where they are obtaining them.

Source: Mayo Clinic

Factors Contributing to Adolescent Drug Use

If you suspect your kid is on drugs, you’re probably wondering why they’ve resorted to drugs in the first place. Many teens report using drugs just to experiment, or to relieve stress.

However, there are several underlying causes, including:

• Family history of substance abuse
• Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety
• Low self-esteem
• School-related issues
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

Sources: CDC, Mayo Clinic

Recognizing the Signs of Drug Use in Children

Kids are good at hiding things, but there are usually obvious signs that your child is on drugs. Knowing what behavioral changes, physical signs, social issues, and academic problems to look out for will help you protect your child.

There may also be environmental clues or physical paraphernalia that you should be aware of.

You might like: Why It Is Important To Talk To Your Teen About Sex, Drugs and Risky Behavior

Behavioral Changes

Kids on drugs deal with a lot of behavioral changes, including:

• Mood and temperament changes. This will look like increased irritability and agitation.
• Isolating themselves from friends and family members, and increasing secretive behavior and lying.
• Deteriorating grades and attendance, which may be partnered with increased misbehavior in school. This can lead to your child dropping out of school.
• A loss of interest in extracurricular activities.
• Increased mental health challenges, affecting their behavior. Drug use may lead to or elevate depression, suicidal tendencies, anxiety, and other mental health changes, causing intense symptoms that will affect the child’s behavior.
• Lack of motivation.

Source: OJJDP

Physical Signs

Substance abuse will affect your child’s long-term health, but there are immediate physical changes that will clue you in on their drug use, such as:

• Bloodshot eyes, usually indicating marijuana.
• Dilated or constricted pupils, signifying cocaine, hallucinogens, or heroin.
• Sudden weight fluctuations.
• Needle tracks in the skin, or a sudden desire to cover up their skin even in warm weather.
• Unusual bruises on skin.
• Poor hygiene or neglect of grooming habits.
• Fatigue, especially after a period of extreme hyperenegy.
• Chronic illness.
• Slurring of speech or general issues with communication.
• Poor eating habits.

Source: Meharry Medical College

Social and interpersonal dynamics

Peer pressure and a desire to fit in are primary causes for kids using illicit substances, so it should come as no surprise that a change in friends is a typical sign. This new group of friends may have direct access to the substances, and their parents may be more lenient.

Your child may also face legal issues and have frequent encounters with authority figures. Often, they won’t be explicitly getting in trouble because of their drug use, but, instead, due to the behaviors they exhibit when on the drug. Risky and illegal behaviors will increase when using substances.

If your child is on drugs, it’s likely that your family dynamic will be disrupted. The child that you know and love will change, leading to more tension, arguments, and conflicts. Kids on drugs tend to skip out on family events, preferring to be left alone when at home.

Violence toward you or other family members, or even themselves, is also typical, especially if the child feels like their privacy has been violated.

Source: Meharry Medical College

Environmental Clues

Perhaps the most indicative clue of drug use is the discovery of actual drugs or drug-related items. Some paraphernalia you should discreetly look for include:

• Pipes or bongs.
• Syringes.
• Pill bottles.
• Needles.
• Lighters.

Kids on drugs may also steal from your house, taking money or valuables to buy more. Or, they’ll take your prescription medication to use for themselves. Individual or group therapy will alleviate family relationships that are harmed during substance abuse.

The last environmental clue to be aware of is unusual smells in clothing or coming from their rooms. Marijuana smells like skunk spray. Methamphetamines may smell like burning chemicals or even urine.

Source: American Addiction Centers

Initiating Conversations and Seeking Help

The first step in helping your child if you suspect they’re using drugs is having a conversation with them. Even if you have found drugs or strong evidence of drugs, you need to talk with your child. This will give you more insight to better get them help.

Here are some tips for that conversation:

• Create trust and honest lines of communication. This starts from early childhood, by allowing your child to talk to you about anything without shutting them down or getting upset.
• Don’t rush the conversation.
• Address their potential use with empathy and understanding.
• Assure them that you are there to support them.
• Make your boundaries clear about what behaviors you are okay with.
• Respect your child enough to listen to everything they have to say.

If your child is actively using drugs or refuses to talk to you, involving a therapist or counselor is beneficial. They might be able to open up your child, and discover the reasoning behind your child’s drug use. It is important to get your child medical help if their substance use is affecting their health.

Source: Talk to Frank

Getting Help for Parents Dealing with Substance Abuse in Adolescents

If your child is using drugs, it’s normal to feel a lot of emotions: anger, sadness, disappointment, embarrassment. And, as you get your child’s help, you should ensure you receive the support you need.

Support groups allow you to connect with parents undergoing the same thing, bonding over shared feelings and frustrations.

Community groups will also connect you with those undergoing the same struggles, while also providing information about preventing substance abuse and helping those in your community.

There are tons of online resources, informative websites, and helplines that assist those struggling with substance abuse problems.

You should also invest in counseling services that provide professional support and guidance.

How will you take action to support your child with substance abuse?

Whether you are concerned about your child or want to be proactive in supporting them through potential drug use, being informed is one of the most important things you can do.

It’s essential to create open and honest communication with your child so they feel as though they can talk to you about drug use or harm they may be experiencing. Struggling or not, getting your child and yourself into therapy or support groups can help deter substance abuse.

Ultimately, early detection and intervention of drug use is what prevents long-term health effects and keeps your child on track to live a healthy and successful life.

Contact The Halliday Center for more support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common drugs kids use?

Kids are usually using illicit substances they can easily get a hold of, such as alcohol, weed, nicotine, or prescribed medications, like opioids. Cocaine, meth, and hallucinogens are also widely used among adolescents.

What are the signs my child is on drugs?

There are a bunch of symptoms that may clue you into the fact that your child is using drugs. Usually, behavioral changes, like mood swings, shifts in friend groups, or poor academic performance, will appear first. Then, physical changes and health effects will pop up. You can also look for physical evidence of drugs, drug paraphernalia, or drug smells.

How do I help my kid on drugs?

The best way to support your kid on drugs is to support them by having open and honest conversations with them and getting them the help they require. This may look like support groups, individual counseling, or healthcare.