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 that a teenager is experimenting with or abusing drugs, discussing the signs of drug abuse in teenagers is more nuanced and complex than a simple ‘checklist of signs’. The hormonal and neurochemical changes that characterise puberty can wreak havoc on even a healthy and drug-free teenager, causing behaviours and attitudes that seem out of place for their character or even mimic those that indicate substance abuse. On the other hand, having reason to suspect that your teenager is abusing drugs and failing to act could lead to harsh and unforgiving consequences down the line—a tragedy when rehab for teens services are available. So, how do you reconcile this complexity in practice?
Having seen firsthand the damage caused by untreated teenage substance abuse, Gladstones Clinic recommends confronting your teenager if you suspect that they are abusing drugs. This isn’t easy, and the wrong approach could harm your relationship. We strongly recommend reading this entire article to learn more about how to approach or confront a teenager in a way that ends up with them relating positively to treatment.
Broadly speaking, signs of drug use in teens can be split into three categories:
Some drugs or ways of administering them can leave physical signs on your teenager or their belongings that indicate substance abuse. Unlike some of the behavioural, emotional, and psychological signs discussed below, physical signs of drug abuse, such as burn marks and soot on the hands and fingers accompanied by an overwhelming smell of smoke, are much harder to attribute to hormonal changes or a bad mood and could more accurately indicate substance abuse.
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:
We believe 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. A brain already under siege from normal hormonal changes experienced during puberty has little chance of full and normal development into adulthood while simultaneously dealing with narcotic abuse.
It’s worth noting that substance abuse and mental health disorders often go hand-in-hand. Depression, anxiety, and other disorders can all contribute to the development of a drug habit, while at the same time, substance abuse can trigger or worsen mental health disorders. Some of the signs of potential teenage substance abuse in this section overlap significantly with signs of mental health disorder, bringing further nuance to understanding adolescent addiction.
In an ideal world, every concerned parent would simply walk up to their child and ask them directly if they’ve been experimenting with drugs, get an honest and heartfelt answer, and take immediate steps to get their teenager into treatment. Unfortunately, both teenagers and adults are subject to fear, anxiety, stigma, and uncertainty, all of which tend to delay diagnosis and treatment.
Understanding how to react, what to say, and what to do if you suspect that your teenager is using drugs is a critical moment that will almost certainly have long-term repercussions, either positive or negative. Keeping in mind that teenagers may be in wildly different situations regarding their immediate physical and psychological safety and that families may not always have the same level of trust between each other, Gladstones Clinic advises parents to:
Whether you think or know that your teenager is abusing drugs, it is important to stay calm and rational during a time of extreme pressure and uncertainty. You will be worried about your child’s well-being and desperate to act; however, heightened emotions can lead to worry being expressed as anger, disappointment, and mistrust.
If your teenager doesn’t fear yelling or punishment, they are more likely to be open and honest about their issues and the idea of accepting help. Remember that a faster diagnosis and access to treatment can significantly boost the chances of a positive outcome.
Addiction is a complex psychological phenomenon, and those who deal with it professionally spend years learning and perfecting their art. Frankly put, it is outside most parents’ skillset to adequately deal with teenage addiction in a way that uncovers and addresses the root causes of addiction. Additionally, in many cases, parental behaviour might directly or indirectly be contributing to a teenager’s substance abuse problems without them even realising it.
Addiction specialists can help families breach this difficult topic in a sensitive and caring way while ensuring that the teen’s well-being remains a priority. They can also help plan and/or run interventions, advise on treatment options available, 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 if the teen goes home to the same environment, the same triggers, and the same relationship.
Family therapy often plays a major role in teenage drug abuse recovery. It teaches family members about the realities of addiction, dispels stigma and commonly held misconceptions, and, most importantly, advises families 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, and living with each other on a day-to-day basis 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. Since 2012, our teen programme has helped families from across the southern UK and Wales overcome addiction, guiding parents through difficult times and empowering teenagers to take control of their lives.
If your teenager or one you care about is experimenting with or entering the world of drug abuse, please don’t hesitate to contact Gladstones Clinic. We will gladly walk you through your treatment options and provide sound advice based on your specific needs.
Please do not let a phone call stand between a teenager and professional addiction advice.
For more information on our teenage drug rehab programme and clinic, please visit:
Contact Gladstones today. Our discreet operators will gladly talk you through our streamlined admissions process.
