There is no question that navigating life with a teenager can be difficult. Changes happen quickly for teens and can leave them scrambling for some sort of control or way to escape. Sometimes, when your teen gets too overwhelmed, they may turn to drugs, alcohol, or other means as a way to escape. If you are unsure whether or not your child needs help, here are a few of the most common signs your teen may need drug addiction help.
Physical Symptoms
For many people, the most obvious signs of needing drug addiction help center around their physical symptoms. Common signs of substance abuse addiction are rapid weight loss, lack of energy, pale and sallow skin, and more. Tremors can also be a common indicator, as well as insomnia and hair loss. Your teen’s general appearance may be an indication of needing drug addiction help as well. If your teen used to take care of their appearance and now they don’t, that is a sign that something may be wrong. While it may not be a substance addiction, your teen may be struggling with something and could use someone to talk to.
Needing Money
Drug habits get increasingly more expensive as the addiction progresses. The more someone uses a drug, they begin to develop a tolerance to it, making it harder to get that high. This pursuit of a high will cost more and more money because it requires more drugs. If your teen has been asking for more money, or if you notice money disappearing from your wallet or another location, it may be a sign that your teen needs drug addiction help.
Withdrawing from Loved Ones
While there are a variety of physical signs that may indicate the need for drug addiction help, there are also a number of mental and emotional indicators as well. A common sign of underlying issues is if your teen is withdrawing from loved ones with whom they used to have a very close relationship. When people hide their struggles, especially drug or alcohol addiction, they have a tendency to isolate themselves from the people closest to them. While changing friends or disconnecting from loved ones may not be caused by addiction, it is an indication that your teen is struggling with something. When paired with physical indicators, withdrawing from loved ones may be a sign of addiction.
