How to Tell If Your Teen Is High?

Whether your teen is smoking pot or vaping, possibly drinking or even taking pills — how can you tell if your teen is high? With the rise of teen depression and anxiety, young people are turning to substance use to self-medicate.

It’s clear that drug education does a lot for some and little for others. Indeed, government-sponsored drug education programs tend to be somewhat weak. It’s therefore vital that you watch for the common signs of drug use in your kids and teens.

5 Signs Your Teen Might Be High

Would you know if your teenager is high? Young people have become clever when it comes to hiding their substance use as well as cheating drug tests. It’s click away online to find ways to pass drug tests today.

Let’s examine five ways to determine your teen might be high:

1. Smells. Your nose can be a great detective. Does your teen smell of alcohol? Typically, as much as you attempt to cover up this order, if your teen drinks enough, you will smell it.

Marijuana has a strong smell, and marijuana smoke leaves long lingering traces of the scent. Vaping can also leave an order that will remain on your child’s clothing, hair and body.

 If you don’t know what marijuana smells like, it’s time to educate yourself. We don’t suggest smoking it yourself, but you may be able to ask a friendly cop to show you a sample.

2. Behavioral changes. Has your teen suddenly become moody, aggressive or even violent? Do they seem confused at times? Have you noticed they have problems concentrating or staying focused? They may also have a sudden change in appetite.

Behavioral changes are quite common with kids who take drugs. While the moody teen is a stereotype, it’s one that holds true. If your kid is jittery in the morning and calmer in the evening, he or she could be taking drugs — in what many now label as self-medicating.

3. Physical appearance. If your teen is using substances, their personal hygiene usually begins lacking. They will stop caring about their cleanliness and physical appearance. Unexplained injuries can be related to drug or alcohol use.

They will often have red-rimmed eyes, they may have burn marks on their lips and fingertips or they might have slurred speech or confuse words.

4. Emotional behavior. Has your teen become more withdrawn (isolated) from family and their good friends? Have they been feeling sick more often?

If he or she takes drugs, as the side effects of some drugs partially suppress the immune system, they might be getting sick more frequently. Inhaled drugs can also lead to respiratory problems.

5. School. Do you have a smart teen that is suddenly failing or underachieving? Is their school contacting you that your child is missing classes, caught smoking or vaping on campus? Was your teen once a straight A student now suddenly barely passing?

Rapidly changing behavior in school can be a warning sign of drug use behavior. Whether it’s your teen’s academics’ or if they have lost interest in their once favorite activities such as sports.

Recognizing the signs of drug use in your teen is crucial, but knowing how to tell if your teen is high in the moment can help you act quickly. If you notice multiple red flags from the list above, trust your instincts and address your concerns calmly.

Open communication, education, and seeking professional guidance when necessary can make all the difference in keeping your teen safe and healthy.

Also read:

How to Choose the Right Therapeutic Program

5 Benefits of Therapeutic Boarding Schools

Image credit: Freepik

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