#21. Symptoms of Drug Abuse Seen in Teenagers
According to surveys carried out in different regions, more and more teenagers are using drugs and the total number is alarming. Many teenagers are unaware of the symptoms and the long-term side effects of drug addiction. Drug abuse causes side effects that put a person on their deathbed. It is important for parents to keep a watch over their child and observe their behavior patterns in order to detect drug abuse in the early stage. Here are a few of the important signs and symptoms that will be helpful for a parent to indicate the presence of drug abuse.
1. Physical behavior
There is a drastic change in the physical behavior of a teenager taking drugs. This is due to the fact that illicit drugs take a toll on the brain functioning. There is a complete change in the behavior pattern. It is also easy for a teenager to feel inadequate in comparison with an adult. The reason for this is that the brain is still in developing stage.
For a parent, it is easy to detect drug abuse in their child by observing their health. Coughing, running nose, weight loss, problems related to kidney and liver, glazed eyes and dental problems are a few of the things which a parent can keep an eye on.
2. Appetite
Teenagers who are addicted to drugs consume less food. It is possible for a parent to sense the change in the appetite by observing the eating habits. There is either weight loss or weight gain in the teenager. Changing sleep patterns, hobbies and clothing style are other observations through which a parent can easily identify drug abuse.
3. Depression
Teenagers using drugs are often in a depressed state. However, they are unaware of the fact that using drugs does not eliminate depression. Parents can easily sense a change in the behavior pattern and observe mood swings. For a parent, it is important to sense this at an earlier stage in order to prevent escalation of the issue to a new level where a teenager starts abusing drugs.
Communication is an important tool in such situations. Creating a friendly environment is important for a parent. Speaking with their teenagers will be helpful in noticing the changes and help them at the right moment. Creating a family bond is essential if you want to prevent a teenager from falling prey to drug abuse. Parents should handle the entire situation very delicately.