Behavioral changes in teens can be telltale signs of drug abuse. When you start to notice behavioral changes in your child it’s important to use your senses as well and your instincts in assessing your teen’s behavior and taking action if you suspect a problem.
Some of the first things you may notice if your teen is using drugs are visible. If you notice that your teen’s eyes and cheeks are red and he’s having difficulty focusing on you, this could be a sign that he may have been drinking. Bloodshot eyes can indicate she’s been using marijuana. Strange burns on your teen’s fingers or mouth could indicate that he’s been smoking from a glass or metal pipe, and wearing long sleeves in the summer can indicate that she’s trying to cover something on her arms, like marks from intravenous drug use.
If your teen has always been a good student but grades start to decline, this could indicate a problem with drugs, or if your teen is using eye drops, mouthwash or other scents to excess, this could also be the sign of a problem.
Use your gut instincts—if your teen has strayed from his childhood friends and begun to hang out with a different crowd, older kids or kids that give you a bad feeling, pay close attention and don’t ignore your feelings.
While there could be rational explanations for some or all of the behaviors above, trust your instincts if you suspect your teen is using drugs, and address it immediately. Northbound Treatment Services has a specialized clinical team sensitive to the needs of teens and their parents at its rehab treatment center. Northbound tailors treatment based on the unique needs of each patient, helping individuals recover from addiction and learn lifelong coping skills. For more information about our services, visit our website or call today at 866-319-2301.
Author
-
Paul Alexander is the CEO, President & Founder of Northbound Treatment Network in Newport Beach, California. He believes wholeheartedly in transformational leadership, organizational health and effective, fully integrated substance use disorder and mental health treatment. With over 27 years of experience in behavioral healthcare, Paul has extensive knowledge of “in vivo” treatment modalities, clinical development, operations, strategy, marketing and financial planning. He has been widely recognized for his development of collegiate-based residential treatment programs for students in recovery and authored a research study at The University of California confirming this modality’s effectiveness.
Paul’s comprehensive professional experience, willingness to innovate, and emphasis on organizational health are vital factors in Northbound’s continued success. Paul received his Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist training at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA, and was awarded Outstanding Alumni Service Award in 2002. Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology, Law and Society, Summa Cum Laude, from University of California, Irvine, and a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles. Paul currently serves on The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) board. In addition, he serves on The Family Recovery Foundation board and The CarePossible board in Orange County; both organizations are committed to raising funds for family recovery and treatment for former military personnel. Paul is in recovery himself and lives in Orange County with his wife Silvana and his two young sons, Noah and Dean.
