»

Signs And Symptoms of Teen Drinking and Drug Use

This page was reviewed or revised on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 11:31 AM

Your teen is moody, always asking for money, needs more sleep, has angry outbursts and switches hobbies or other interests more often TV channels. But, that’s pretty typical of a teen. Since kids don’t come with instructions, how can you tell if your child uses alcohol or other drugs?

Look for signs of depression, withdrawal, carelessness with grooming or hostility. Is your child doing well in school, getting along with friends, taking part in sports or other activities?

Watch List
 

Personality:

• Becomes rude - verbally and physically abusive
• Angry a lot, act paranoid or confused, or suffer from extreme mood swings
• Seem depressed and less out-going than usual
• More secretive
• Use codes when they talk
• Lie about what they are doing; where they are going
• Steal or “lose” things they once valued
• Seem to have a lot of money, or always asking for money
• Withdraw from family or family activities

Physical Appearance:

• Do not care about hygiene and grooming
• Do not sleeping; sleeping too much
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Too hyper; too little energy

Social Activity/School Performance

• Drop old friends and activities
• Skip school
• Lose interest in school work - get low grades
• Sleeping in class
• Lose focus; trouble remembering

Things (Paraphernalia) Associated With Drug Use

• Cigarette papers
• Pipes
• Blackened knives or spoons
• Cans or bottles with holes in them
• Pieces of foil
• Lighters
• Bottles of eye drops - may mask bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils
• New use of mouthwash or breath mints to cover up the smell of alcohol
• Missing prescription drugs like narcotics and mood stabilizers

Related Link:

Directory of Agencies (local) to help you or someone else (PDF), dated October 2008.