Teens are likely to have peers who use alcohol or drugs, and to have friends who drive. Have conversations not only to understand your teen’s thoughts and feelings, but also to talk about the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Talk about the legal issues — jail time and fines — and the possibility that they or someone else might be killed or seriously injured.

Chances are they won’t want to have the conversation and may react badly when you interrupt their screen time or limit the time they can spend with friends. However, by remaining calm and setting firm boundaries, you can begin to slowly get through to your children. This seemingly small act can have a great impact on your child’s likelihood to use drugs. Take advantage of this time to listen to your teen, get to know his or her interests, friends at school, and what’s going on in his or her life. Remove distractions, such as cellphones, from the table so that everyone is actively present and involved.

Ways To Forgive Yourself In Recovery

Often, the best option is to get teen drug abuse professionals involved. In serious or persistent cases, it will be in the best interest of the individual to be monitored by a specialist. Meanwhile, in the long term, drug abuse can cause or aggravate sleep disorders. Some studies demonstrate that subjects who engage in substance abuse have a 5-to-10-fold increase in likelihood to have a sleep disorder. In turn, sleep disorders can have many negative effects on health, such as the development of cardiovascular issues as a result of sleep apnea. Drug abuse has long shown a strong correlation with poor academic performance.

Read about how coordination between public service agencies can improve treatment for these youth. The 2021 Success Stories share how Communities Talk activities are working across the country and how communities are measuring success. This fact sheet provides parents, caregivers, educators, and other influencers with a road map on how emojis are used in conjunction with illegal drug activity. It lists symbols used to communicate about specific substances often advertised and sold on social media and e-commerce platforms. Preventing teenage drinking and drug abuse can preclude disastrous consequences that may occur if addiction is left unchecked.

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The speed of speech will often mimic the effects of the drug . Slurred speech is often caused by overproduction of GABA, which in turn impairs the brain’s ability to process information. In fact, long-term substance abuse can result in slurred speech even when the individual is not under the influence. Again, while it is often a warning sign, a teen who is socially withdrawn is not necessarily engaging in drug misuse. However, unusual, sudden, or apparently unprompted social withdrawal can be a cause for concern, especially if it accompanies other warning signs. Withdrawal can indicate a need to be secretive or a significant change in mood.