DRUGS.
In a world where kids grow up much too fast, drugs are a reality that many parents have to face. And unfortunately, lots of parents are too tuned out to know the signs of a teen with a drug habit.
The good news is that you are not going to be this parent. That’s because you are going to know the truth about drugs -- and how to spot the effects on your teen.
Following is an unabridged guide to the eight surprising signs that your teen is on drugs.
P.S. Remember that teens are weird in general. So if you do suspect drugs, don’t jump to a conclusion right away. Always consult a professional before making a decision that could drive your teen further into the drug trap.
Your kid gets pulled over for going too slow.
If you were a wild one in your teens, you’re going to know exactly where we’re going with this one. When teens are impaired, they’re terrified of speeding because they know they’ll get caught. So to counter this, they drive slower than the speed limit.
This is particularly true if they’ve smoked marijuana, which has seen a resurgence in popularity among teens due to the push to legalize marijuana in some form almost everywhere in the United States.
So if you notice that your teen is driving much slower than usual, and he or she hasn’t had a recent accident that would warrant this behavior, keep your eyes open for other signs. Your child may be smoking a little reefer.
The car isn’t exactly parked quite right.
There are two types of sober teens: Teens who park considerately and teens who, well, don't. You know which category your normally teen falls into. That said, there are also teens that partook in various substances the night before and parked, well, as best they could.
In this instance, you’re not looking for the obvious car parked on the porch while the neighbors watch in horror. This impaired driving error will reflect something simple. Perhaps one tire is on the lawn. Or better yet, the car is in the garage but wedged so close to the wall that you’d have to climb in through the passenger’s seat just to get in.
If you see this, consider it a sign. But don’t jump to the conclusion that your child is definitely on drugs. It just might be a signal to watch them a little bit closer in case you see anything else.
A neat appearance has given way to complete insanity.
Only you know how your child normally looks. And if you’ve seen teenagers these days, you know that they can reflect a rather interesting fashion statement. The question to ask is: Has your teen’s taste in style changed considerably in a short period of time?
If the answer is yes, take a closer look as to why his or her style has changed. If your child goes from conservative and clean cut to a grunge or gothic look, keep an eye out. Or if he or she loses interest in once-loved hobbies and activities, you might want to look for the reason behind this change.
A late-night snack becomes a feast -- or perhaps a fiesta.
We all like a little late-night snack for comfort every once in a while. However, a home-concocted buffet at 2:00 a.m. can signify a whole different ballgame.
If you hear a raccoon-like teen rifling through the refrigerator in the wee hours of the morning, you’ve got a problem. That’s a dead giveaway that your child has smoked a little weed.
Before you jump to a potentially incorrect conclusion, step back and observe what’s going on.
Your teen says it's a cold, but the sniffling goes on for weeks.
The truth is that a case of the sniffles can be an indicator that your teen is on coke. That’s because cocaine aggravates sinuses and nasal passages, contributing to itching and running.
Further, your teen may get a bloody nose. If this happens repetitively, you might want to investigate the situation at hand. And losing weight also may indicate a coke habit. Both of these symptoms can be cause for worry and are worth investigating.
The world is a big secret that you’re just not in on.
If your teen has always been open but suddenly becomes secretive, you may have an issue. That’s because the world of drugs is secretive itself -- especially when it comes to hiding it from parents.
The first sign to look for is when your child withdraws to his or her room as soon as he or she comes home. This behavior takes place because he or she is impaired and trying to hide it.
Another thing to look for is money that quickly disappears, while the gas gauge has hardly moved and your teen hasn’t shopped at all. If you think about it, drugs can cost a lot of money. So this can be a huge indicator that your kid has a drug habit.
Socialization has given way to a weird kind of “socially awkward” you’ve never quite seen before.
People act really weird when they're under the influence. And we’re not talking about the “normal” kind of weird that teens think is cool.
The first hint is avoiding talking. That’s because silence hides the obvious. So why would your kid want to open up?
In addition, the teen's eyes will look different. They will reflect a glassy and bloodshot appearance, and pupils may be dilated. In general, there will be a distant and disconnected gaze.
They think it’s funny-- but there’s nothing going on except for an episode of 60 Minutes.
When you’re on drugs, everything is funny or dramatic in some sort of way. This can come in the form of humor that doesn’t exist on a sober plane. Or it can come in the form of a deep philosophical notion that is anything but understandable.
So if your kid seems to be connecting to something that is anything but logical, consider it a sign that drugs may be a part of his or her life. Again, don’t jump down your teen’s throat. Just sit back and observe from a distance. Then see if this happens on a regular basis.