3 Signs of Teen Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Drugs and alcohol are a situation that all teens face and most will experiment. Wondering whether or not your teen is abusing drugs or alcohol can be stressful. If you think your teen may be experimenting with drugs and alcohol but don’t know how to deal with it, the first thing to do is make sure this is the problem your teen is facing. Some signs that your teen may be experimenting with drugs and alcohol include:
1. Dramatic Mood Swings
Teenagers all have normal mood swings. But look for more dramatic changes — like happy and full of energy one minute and then withdrawal, sadness, or fits of rage. No one knows your child like you do but during these times you can feel like you don’t know them at all.
2. Acting out in school
Has your teens grades dropped recently? Has their attitude towards school changed? Cutting class, fighting, and generally acting out are signs that they might be using.
3. Attitude and health
Is there a change in appetite, or sleep patterns? Is your teen being openly dishonest and defiant? Has alcohol come up missing in your home? How about the medicine cabinet? Have you smelled cigarettes or alcohol on his/her breath? Is your teen using a lot of breath mints lately? Have they changed how they dress or do their hair? Have you suspected that your teen might be drunk or on something? Any slurred speech, stumbling, Or bloodshot eyes?