Changes in your child’s behavior, health, and appearance can tip you off that something may be wrong. If you discover that your child is using illegal drugs, it’s important to take swift action and break the cycle of addiction before your child experiences the severe health and legal consequences that often accompany drug use.
Here are some warning signs that your child may be using illegal drugs. While these signs by themselves don’t prove that your child has a drug problem, they provide good reason to investigate further into his or her change in behavior or health.
Visual Clues
• A decline in appearance including weight changes and lack of cleanliness and grooming
• An increase in cuts or bruises
• A marked decrease in eye contact with family members
• Frequent use of eye drops due to bloodshot eyes
BehavioralChanges
Many adolescents and teens go through emotional and behavioral changes as a result of navigating through puberty and maturing. Drug use can also bring on troubling behavior that necessitates an investigation. Shifts in behavior due to drug use can include:
- Increased conflict and declining performance at school
- Changes in mood that are above and beyond usual patterns
- Extreme secretiveness and withdrawal from normal activities
- Unusual agitation or lethargy with no apparent cause
Health Issues
Several health issues can be related to consumption of illegal drugs. Here are some common health signs of drug use that your child may exhibit. Whether or not these signs are related to drug activity, they should be checked out by a medical professional.
- Seizures, body tremors or a marked decrease in coordination
- Abnormal eye appearance, including large or small pupil size
- A notable change in amount of sleep or food intake
- Numerous nosebleeds
Possession or use of illegal drugs can seriously affect your son’s or daughter’s future. The consequences of this can be far-reaching and include trouble renting an apartment or qualifying for a loan later on in life. Through proactive parental action, you can help steer your child clear of trouble.