As a parent, one of your biggest fears may be that your teen is using or abusing drugs. However, spotting the warning signs can be tricky. Teenagers go through natural periods of moodiness, defiance, and unpredictability as their bodies and brains change during puberty.

Drug Use in Teens

Drug use among teens in the United States is relatively common, though there have been some promising declines in recent years. As of 2020, around 16.5% of 8th graders, 30.5% of 10th graders, and 35.2% of 12th graders reported using illicit drugs in the past year (National Institute on Drug Abuse).

How can you discern normal teenage behavior from behavior that may be linked to drug use?

Here are some tips.

Changes in Friends and Activities

Take note if your teenager stops hanging out with old friends or quits participating in hobbies and activities they used to enjoy. New friends who appear very influential could indicate peer pressure related to drug experimentation. Secretiveness about new friends may also be a red flag.

Physical and Behavioral Changes

Teens using drugs may demonstrate extreme and unexplained tiredness or hyperactivity. Their sleeping and eating patterns might shift dramatically. You may catch frequent dishonesty or find items like pipes, small bags or alcohol bottles among their belongings. They may become very argumentative or demonstrate extreme moodiness. Their personal appearance and hygiene may deteriorate significantly.

Bloodshot or Glassy Eyes

Eyes that are often bloodshot with dilated or constricted pupils, or that seem distant or disconnected, can indicate drug use. Marijuana as well as hallucinogens, cocaine and amphetamines often manifest visible symptoms in the eyes.

Slurred Speech

Listen for mush-mouthed, slowed or slurred speech when communicating with your teen, especially late at night. This can be a sign of alcohol, marijuana or pharmaceutical drug use. Take note if they seem disconnected from the conversation or are unusually silly or angry when tired at night.

Drop in Grades

A sudden worsening in academic performance and loss of motivation in school can point to possible drug use. Teens using drugs tend to withdraw from academic, athletic and creative pursuits in favor of socializing and partying.

Take Action

If you believe your teen may be using drugs, consider involving experts like a family physician, a mental health therapist or teen counselor, or drug abuse specialist. They can help accurately diagnose what’s going on and develop a treatment plan if needed.

You may also wish to pursue discreet at-home drug testing to confirm or rule out your suspicions. Many over-the-counter urine screening kits are available to detect popular drugs like marijuana, cocaine, opiates, and amphetamines. Other labs like AlphaBiolabs lab provide discreet at-home urine, nail, and hair tests that detect longer-term drug use. Testing done via a lab like AlphaBiolabs gives you concrete information to have an honest discussion about your teen’s health and safety.

Don’t accuse your teen of drug use without proof. Instead, explain what signs are worrying you and express your desire to understand what they are going through. Offer support and concrete help. With care and attention, you can ensure your teen stays healthy now and in the long run.