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How can use turn into abuse?
Abstinence is the safest. This means no substances (drugs, alcohol, or tobacco) are being used.
Substance use usually starts with experimentation - this is where a person uses drugs or drinks alcohol to see what it feels like.
Non-problematic use means someone uses drugs or drinks only when around friends. Their goal is to have fun.
Problematic use starts when the drug or alcohol is used to help decrease stress or deal with emotions.
Abuse is happening when a person continues to use drugs or alcohol even though the substance has caused them to get into trouble.
Dependence is when a person has lost control over choosing to use. They cannot say no or stop.
What do I look for to know if my child is using substances?
In general
You may notice smells of substances, like alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana on your child’s breath or on their clothes. You might not notice it on your child, but on their friends instead.
You see your child intoxicated, “high,” or just looking “out of it.”
You might find a substance on them or see it in their room or backpack.
You may notice your child changing their style, behavior, or trying to act secretly.
You may notice changes in their weight, eating, or sleeping pattern.
Some kids will try substances like cocaine to try to lose weight.
You may notice a drop in school grades, or that they are picking more fights or getting into more arguments with friends or family.
You may notice them taking part in risky behaviors, injuries, or sudden mood changes.
If your child is struggling with depression or anxiety, it can be hard to know if it is their mood or because of substance use.
There are home drug testing kits available for families to purchase. Here are some things to know if you are thinking about using a home drug testing kit:
You should talk to your child if you want to test them at home.
They are not 100% accurate.
Some schools drug test all students and some only test athletes.
Urine drug tests do not detect the following substances:
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), ketamine, ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), inhalants, or anabolic steroids.
Most substances must have been used within the last 1 to 2 days to be positive. However, marijuana can usually be detected if it was used within the past 2 to 3 weeks, or sometimes even longer (some reports noting up to 6 weeks).
False positives can occur.
This can be seen with some cough, allergy, and stimulant medications (some examples: Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin) prescribed for ADHD.
Some foods, like poppyseeds can cause a urine test to look positive for opioids when it is not.
If you get a positive result it, it may be a false positive, meaning your child may not be using substances, or if positive for marijuana, your child may have not used it for weeks.
Cocaine
This is a stimulant, or an “upper.” It may cause a sense of euphoria (an intense feeling of happiness or excitement), empowerment, along with talkativeness and increased alertness.
It can cause nausea, vomiting, sweating, restlessness, and dizziness.
It can affect the heart, causing a fast/elevated heart rate and high blood pressure. This can lead to death - even in healthy teens.
When a person is “coming down” from it, they might act paranoid, delusional, depressed, or talk about suicide.
This is a highly addictive substance.
Inhalants
These are chemicals around the house that can be inhaled to get “high.”
Examples: cleaning products, paint, polishes, car fluids, glue, marker tips, hair spray. Basically, anything that has a spray method or gives off a fume.
Around 1 in 10 kids have tried an inhalant.
Short term effects: anxiety, irritability, a “glass-eyed” look, nausea, loss of appetite, sores around the mouth, impulsive behavior, slurred speech, a feeling of daze, sleepiness, dizziness, passing out, red eyes, and headaches.
Long term effects: memory loss, problems with balance, inattention, weakness, and tremor.
These can be deadly with only one use.
Kids that use inhalants to get high are more likely to use other drugs.
Marijuana
Teens have reported that this is easy to get ahold of, making it the most common illegal substance tried first.
It is addictive and it does damage the teenage brain.
It has been linked with mood changes, anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.
It can cause trouble with memory, concentration, problem-solving and loss of interest in school and activities.
Marijuana use causes slowed reaction times, making it difficult to judge speed and distance accurately. For this reason, it makes it dangerous to drive after using marijuana.
Marijuana can be “laced” meaning other drugs can be added to it which could lead to death.
Marijuana can be used in different ways, including smoking, mixing into food or drinks, or eating it in the form of an “edible.”
Opioids
There are prescriptions (like oxycontin, codeine, and fentanyl) and non-prescription opioids (like heroin).
Prescription opioids can be used for medical reasons.
Using an opioid without a prescription is illegal.
Any prescription opioids should be stored in a locked place. If any are left from a prescription this website can help with safe places to take them.
In pediatrics, opioids are not prescribed very often.
About 75% of overdose deaths are from opioids with 9,000 deaths in children and teens.
The rate of over-dose deaths in children and adolescents continues to increase because it is so addictive and dangerous.
With long-term use of opioids, a person needs to use larger amounts to achieve the same result. Taking too much of these drugs can lead to a decrease in heart rate and breathing, causing death. These substances can decrease pain, reduce stress, anxiety and cause a rush or “high".
Even short-term use or using small amounts can cause withdrawal symptoms - where a person feels anxious, sweats a lot, and feels like they have the flu
Tobacco
All tobacco products contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. Some examples of tobacco products include:
Cigarettes, e-cigarettes (vapes), cigars, pipes.
Chew (dip), snuff and nicotine pouches.
About one-third of teen smokers will die of a smoking-related disease.
Tobacco increases your heart rate, blood pressure, risk of cancer, getting colds and having a continued cough for a long time.
Tobacco use makes it harder to breathe during exercise (decreases athletic performance).
It makes your breath, clothes, and hair smell bad.
It can turn your fingers and teeth yellow and causes your skin to develop wrinkles.
Alcohol
Kids who start drinking any amount of alcohol at a younger age are more likely to have problems with alcohol use and addiction later in life.
Underage drinking (drinking before legal age of 21) is also associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, sleep trouble, self-injuries, suicidal behavior and taking part in risky behaviors like sex, drinking and driving, and use of other substances.
Some signs that your child may be drinking:
Your child’s eyes may look red.
They may have problems with concentration, memory, or be irritable.
They may have difficulty moving around, even nearly falling over.
How can I keep my child safe?
Avoid lecturing or talking down to them, instead aim for an open, courteous chat.
Talk to your child openly about the dangers of substance use.
The risks of harming themselves or others, getting sent to jail and losing their license.
Make sure they know they can come to you for help or questions.
Check-in with your child regularly.
If they seem moody, ask them about it in a supportive way.
If your child does not like the way their body looks, you can offer to help with healthy eating and exercise.
Give your teen the tools they need to stand up to peer pressure.
By helping your child set positive, achievable goals, their self- confidence will be boosted.
Ask them what they think is right and wrong.
Ask them about what is legal and illegal.
Review household and school rules.
Ask them about their friends and what they do together.
Be a good role model for your child. A lot of kids want to do or try whatever a parent/caregiver is doing or trying.
Talk to them about safe, healthy ways to have fun.
Reach-out to your child’s primary healthcare provider for help if you have any concerns or questions.
This publication was adapted from information within American Academy of Pediatrics Patient Education Handouts and Healthychildren.org
Reviewed by: TT D.O, AR D.O. | 09/2024