Teenage drug or substance abuse is serious and could easily lead to a lifetime of addiction issues if not diagnosed and managed correctly. The staff at Gladstones Clinic strongly encourages you to seek professional help in dealing with teenage addiction. We stand with the content in this article; however, due to the potential for irreversible harm, please consult with registered and experienced addiction experts for further advice and assistance if you have reason to believe your teenager is experimenting with drugs.
Teenage substance abuse is a complicated topic to discuss. While there are unmistakable signs of drug use in teens, the conversation is more nuanced than a simple list of signs.
Puberty can wreak havoc on even a healthy, drug-free teenager, causing out-of-character behaviour that can mimic those that indicate substance abuse. On the other hand, having reason to suspect your teenager is abusing drugs and failing to act could lead to harsh and unforgiving consequences down the line.
So, how do you reconcile this complexity in practice? We’re here to guide you through it.
Having seen firsthand the damage untreated substance abuse can cause, we’ve created this article to help with the best approach for supporting a teenager showing signs of drug use.
In the UK, there were 14,352 children and young people receiving alcohol and drug treatment between April 2023 and March 2024. An increase in figures from the previous year.
It’s a common misconception that teenagers using drugs are simply ‘badly behaved’. In fact, there are often external factors that can trigger a drug addiction in a teenager.
Teens can feel pressured by peers to partake in drug abuse, leading to addiction further down the line. If they experience a traumatic family environment, drugs can become an unhealthy coping mechanism they find themselves relying on.
Handling a teenager showing signs of a drug addiction isn’t easy, and the wrong approach could harm your relationship. Understanding teenage addiction first will help you best support them.
There’s a range of teen drug abuse signs to be aware of, but broadly speaking, you can split them into three categories:
For example, physical signs are changes you may spot in how they look, while behavioural signs are differences in how they act. Psychological signs of teen drug abuse can be tricky to notice, as they’re changes in their cognitive function or how they think.
Some drugs or ways of administering them can leave physical signs on a teenager’s belongings or even their body.
Unlike some of the behavioural and psychological signs, which we will discuss below, physical signs of drug abuse are much harder to attribute to hormonal changes or a bad mood. As such, they can be the best place to start when looking for signs of teen drug abuse.
Signs can look different depending on the method they’re using to take the drug, but typically it’s either via injection, ingestion, or inhalation – smoking or snorting. As such, common physical signs of teenage drug abuse can include:
Try not to make them feel like they’re being surveilled, as this can push them away. Instead, simply be aware of the physical signs, as this can be helpful when it comes time for their treatment.
Our behaviours are controlled by our thoughts and our thoughts by our neurochemistry (among other factors). Drugs and alcohol change how our body releases and reacts to neurotransmitters, leading to thought- and subsequently, behavioural changes that could indicate substance abuse. Some potentially harmful behaviours to be on the lookout for include:
A brain already experiencing the regular hormonal changes of puberty can face additional stress when handling a drug addiction as well.
It’s fair to say that the potential for long-term psychological, cognitive, and emotional harm is one of the scariest aspects of teenage substance abuse. In fact, there are plenty of changes you may notice when a teenager is battling drug abuse, including:
It’s worth noting that substance abuse and mental health disorders often go hand-in-hand. Depression and anxiety can all contribute to the development of a drug habit, while substance abuse can also trigger or worsen any existing mental health disorders.
Some of the signs of teenage substance abuse in this section overlap significantly with signs of mental health disorders, bringing further nuance to understanding adolescent addiction.
As a concerned parent, it can be tempting to simply walk up to your child and ask them directly if they’ve been experimenting with drugs. However, this can cause an adverse reaction.
Both teenagers and adults are subject to fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, all of which can delay diagnosis and treatment if your child pushes back at being questioned. Instead, we need to take things slowly, keeping in mind that teenagers may react differently if they feel unsafe or lack trust.
Understanding how to react, what to say, and what to do will help your teenager receive the help they need as fast as possible. So, let’s explore our advice.
Whether you think or know that your teenager is abusing drugs, it is important to stay calm and rational during this time of extreme pressure and uncertainty.
If your teenager doesn’t fear yelling or punishment, they are more likely to be open and honest about their issues, as well as accepting help. Remember that a faster diagnosis and access to treatment can significantly boost the chances of a positive outcome.
You will be worried about your child’s well-being and desperate to act; we know this is a difficult time. However, be careful not to let worry be expressed as anger, disappointment, and mistrust.
As their parent, we know you’ll want to do everything in your power to help them. However, drug abuse is complex and is best treated by professionals who spend years understanding it.
In fact, parental behaviour or family dynamics can contribute to a teenager’s substance abuse problems, without any realisation or intention of doing so. Addiction specialists can help families broach this difficult topic in a sensitive, caring way, while ensuring the teen’s well-being remains a priority.
Professionals can also help plan and/or run interventions, advise on available treatment options, diagnose co-occurring mental health conditions, and help families work proactively towards recovery.
Fully recovering from substance abuse can be a challenge lasting several years, even for adults who don’t have to deal with the added pressures of puberty and all that brings.
Even after completing the best residential rehab treatment programme in the world, addiction remains a risk. Especially if the teen goes home to the same environment, the same triggers, and the same relationship. Change may be necessary, as recovery from substance abuse is a long-term challenge, requiring love, support, and acceptance from their support network.
Family therapy often plays a major role in teenage drug abuse recovery, helping to build the strongest possible support network for the teen.
It teaches family members about the realities of addiction, as well as dispelling stigma and commonly held misconceptions. Perhaps most importantly, family therapy advises on the changes they can make to help their loved ones overcome addiction and maintain sobriety.
Changes in the ways family members communicate with each other, setting and enforcing rules for accountability and boundaries, all promote long-term recovery and a happy, healthy family life.
Gladstones Clinic is one of only two UK clinics providing specialist residential rehab treatment for teenagers – we’re here to help you and your family.
Since 2012, our teen programme has helped people from across the UK and Wales overcome addiction. We guide the parents through this difficult time, all while empowering teenagers to take control of their lives.
If your teenager is showing signs of teenage drug abuse, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will gladly walk you through your treatment options and provide sound advice tailored to your specific needs.
Give us a call on 0808 168 2433 or send an email to help@gladstonesclinic.com to talk to a friendly member of our team. We look forward to helping your teen regain control of their life.
For more information on our teenage drug rehab programme and clinic, please visit:
Remember, each person is different, so not everyone will show these signs. However, there are a few common signs of drug abuse to be aware of to ensure your loved one gets support fast.
There are typically more than five warning signs, but some may be harder to spot than others. A few of the signs you can look out for include:
If you are concerned about a loved one showing signs of drug abuse, it’s best to reach out to professionals for the best approach.
According to the UK Government, the most commonly used drug amongst teens is cannabis (87%).
However, it’s important to be aware of other drugs that could potentially cause issues with substance abuse. In fact, the same UK Government document showed 9% of teens reported a powder cocaine problem, while 7% had issues with ecstasy.
Drug use can impact teens in a range of ways, making an already tricky time of life even harder. They may start to struggle academically, failing to meet grade expectations or neglecting coursework. Maintaining friendships can be hard with drug use, leading to them losing friends or connections. The best way to avoid this is to seek support for them as soon as possible.
Contact Gladstones today. Our discreet operators will gladly talk you through our streamlined admissions process.
If you would like to request a callback from our support team, please fill out the form below and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible.
