Teens experience a wide range of emotions and changes in adolescence. Teens are impulsive and might engage in risky or dangerous behavior. Their brain is rapidly developing and it receives and retains a large amount of information on a daily basis. Peer pressure is a major factor in a teen’s decision to try drugs. Depending on the drug, your teen can become addicted after just one try.
There are signs to look for if you suspect your teen is using drugs. Here are some of the signs:
Isolates him or herself and rarely interacts with family or friends
Changes in physical appearance and hygiene
Loses his or her appetite and drastically changes in weight
Dilated pupils, bloodshot eyes
Seizures
Shakes, tremors
Changes in sleep patterns, insomnia
Acts withdrawn, no interest in relationships
Skips school
Frequently gets in trouble
Mood changes
When teens use drugs, they may become irrational in their behavior and actions. Drugs can cause your teen to become verbally abusive and aggressive. He or she could become destructive and destroy things in your home. A teen that has a drug problem will withdraw from family and friends and spend a lot of time alone.
A teen’s sudden bad behavior in school can be a sign of drug abuse. When your teen skips classes, performs poorly, and receives declining or failing grades, he or she might be using drugs. Teens who use drugs exhibit personality changes. Depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health conditions can lead to drug use as form of escape. Single parent homes, a family’s economic status, and abusive homes can influence a teen’s drug use
A teen’s brain continues to develop into his or her early 20s. If your teen is using drugs, it can have detrimental effects to his or her brain. Do not shame your teenager – he or she needs help. Go to a medical professional who can help your teen with treatment and prescribe medication for mental health conditions, if needed. Encourage and support your teen in the process.
If you or a loved one is struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction, get help now. You can help save a life. Cypress Lakes Lodge specializes in treatment for drug and alcohol addiction and addictive behaviors with a focus on healing the mind, body, and spirit. Addiction is treatable and recovery is possible. You are not alone in this struggle.
Cypress Lakes Lodge specializes in addiction treatment and is located in a serene, remote, lush-green, oxygen enriched environment. The program encompasses holistic addiction therapy and offers yoga and meditation for the mind, body, and soul. The focus is on physical, mental, and emotional well-being by generating the balance of life-enriching treatment, wellness, and healthy, sober, sustainable relationships. Call us to get started: 877-938-1577