Drug or Alcohol Abuse in Teens
What is Drug Abuse? Drug Abuse is the improper or excessive use or misuse of a substance. It is portrayed by a destructive pattern that affects daily living and causes problems at home, school, work, with friends, with the law, etc.
General Signs and Symptoms of Drug Abuse
- Sudden change in behavior
- Withdrawal from the family
- Lying
- Changes in sleep pattern; awake for long periods of time or excessive sleepiness
- Change in appetite
- Mood swings; angry and then suddenly happy
- Personal hygiene is less important
- Loss of interest in favorite activities
- Bloodshot or glassy eyes
- Runny nose or nose bleeds
- Unexplained need for money; stealing
- Discoloration of fingertips or teeth
- Having items related to drug use: matches, pill bottles, rolling papers, pipe, syringes or needles
- Engaging in risky behaviors
Teens use drugs for a variety of reasons: curiosity, peer pressure, experimenting, to feel good, to mask feelings of loneliness, to enhance physical or mental performance, reduce stress or depression. Drug use or abuse does not necessarily lead to addiction; however, there are risk factors that attribute to the likelihood of a drug user developing an addiction.
Diagnosing drug abuse includes one or more of the following occurring in a 12-month period
- Use resulting in failure to fulfill major role obligation at work, home or school
- Use in physically hazardous situations
- Recurrent substance related legal problems
- Continued use despite persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by substanceThe clinicians at Triumph Youth Services are highly trained and have extensive experience working with adolescent youth. Our clinicians are licensed and approved as mental health professionals to provide individual, group and family therapy.Call Triumph Youth Services. We are here to help.
