Contribution by Katrina Blicharska
General indicators of substance abuse in teens:
Bad grades
Behavioral problems
Sudden change in personality
Becoming defiant, uncooperative, or hostile (e.g., violating curfew, ignoring rules, lashing out)
Newfound demand for privacy
Lack of respect for authority
Bloodshot eyes
Loss of interest in activities
Poor hygiene or diminished personal appearance
Avoiding eye contact
Unusual tiredness
Changing friends or social circles
Unexplained disappearances for significant periods of time
Missing school and extracurricular activities
Stealing-money or things from home or school
Presence of drug paraphernalia, like smoking devices, eye drops, butane lighters, and syringes
Vaping-secretive behavior, smell of artificial flavoring, hiding and passing vaping devices, secretive behaviors, students hiding during recess or lunch in restricted areas, students overprotective of their backpacks, students wearing long sleeves (hiding vaping devices in sleeves)
Alcohol-erratic behavior, loud talking and outlandish behavior, stumbling when walking, swaying, slurred speech, general impairment, passing out or falling asleep, smelling of alcohol.
Marijuana -smoking and vaping-blood shot eyes, glazed over look, slowed reflexes, slow or mumbling speech, disengaged behavior, hiding face under baseball hat or hoodie, avoiding eye contact, avoiding interactions with adults, secretive behavior, erratic behavior, paranoid behavior, frequent hunger or “munchies”, Smell of smoke on breath or clothes.
Prescriptions (Adderall and Ritalin) and Over-The-Counter Medications -Dilated pupils, shakiness, Anxiety, Increased heart rate, Sweating, Mania, fast disorganized, speech, hyperactivity, poor concentration, hallucinations
Street drugs-
Bloodshot eyes, Unexplained bruises, wounds, or track marks on arms, Long sleeves in hot weather when they usually wear short sleeves, Flushed cheeks, Careless personal hygiene or disheveled appearance, soot on fingers or lips, shaking or tremors, Unusual smell on clothing or breath (frequent use of gum or mints to mask it, Nosebleeds or a runny nose without a cold, constantly licking lips