🌟 Early Warning Signs: How to Tell if Your Teenager is Using Drugs? 🌟

Identifying the first signs that a teenager may be using drugs can be difficult, but it’s crucial to address the issue in time. Often, these signs may seem like normal adolescent behavior, so parents need to pay close attention to any significant and persistent changes. Here’s a guide to recognizing early warning signs that your child may be at risk. 👀🔍

1. Changes in Social Behavior 🙋‍♂️

One of the first indicators is a change in how your child interacts with others. Pay special attention to friends who used to encourage them to study and improve themselves, but from whom they now seem to distance themselves. This distancing may be accompanied by the appearance of new friends whose presence seems suspicious, as they might be involved in unhealthy activities. Additional signs include:

• Withdrawing from family or losing interest in family activities.
• Dropping out of extracurricular activities, sports, or other interests they used to enjoy.

2. Decline in Academic Performance 📚

Drug use can directly impact academic performance. If you notice your child’s grades dropping or that they’re having trouble concentrating on their studies, this could be a warning sign. Other indicators include:

• Frequent school absences or arriving late.
• Losing interest in homework and school projects.
• Negative attitudes toward studies or an increase in behavioral issues at school.

3. Changes in Mood 😟

Adolescents go through many emotional fluctuations, but when these changes are extreme or last too long, they could be related to drug use. Some warning signs include:

• Constant irritability, aggression, or sudden mood swings with no apparent reason.
• Exaggerated euphoria or inappropriately relaxed behavior in situations that would normally cause stress or concern.
• Indifference toward their responsibilities, relationships, or daily activities.

4. Neglected Physical Appearance 👕

Drug use often reflects on physical appearance. Pay attention to the following changes:

• Neglecting personal hygiene and appearance.
• Drastic weight loss or unexplained weight gain.
• Red eyes, dilated pupils, or signs of constant fatigue.

5. Changes in Sleep and Eating Habits 🛏️🍔

One of the most common effects of drug use is disruption of sleep patterns. Your child may shift from having a relatively stable sleep schedule to showing unusual behaviors like:

• Insomnia or staying up late at night: Certain types of drugs, especially stimulants like amphetamines or cocaine, can make it difficult for your child to sleep or keep them awake for long hours, leading to extreme tiredness during the day.
• Sleeping excessively: Other substances, such as depressants (alcohol, opioids, or sedatives), can cause your child to sleep more than usual, waking up disoriented or having trouble getting up.
• Irregular sleep patterns: Sudden changes in sleep schedules, going from sleeping too little to sleeping too much, are also a red flag.

In addition to sleep, their appetite may change as well, showing a sudden increase or decrease in eating without any apparent cause.

6. Secretive and Mysterious Behavior 🤐

Drug use often leads to secretive and mysterious behavior. Some signs include:

• Avoiding conversations about their day or activities.
• Lying about where they’ve been or who they’ve been with.
• Receiving calls or messages from unknown people and being secretive about their content.

7. Disappearance of Valuables or Money at Home 💸

If you notice money, prescription medications, or valuable items disappearing from your home without explanation, this could be a major sign. Teens using drugs may resort to stealing to finance their habit.

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🌟 Final Considerations 🌟

Paying attention to early signs that your child might be using drugs is crucial for intervening in time. If you recognize several of these behaviors, it’s important to address the situation calmly and without confrontation, offering your support and willingness to help. The key is to maintain open communication based on trust, to guide your child through these difficult moments. 💬👨‍👩‍👦

With love,
Dr. Arturo José Sánchez Hernández
Your friend in health promotion 💙
Discover more of my works at: https://books2read.com/asanchez

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