Warning Signs

The mood swings and unpredictable behavior that most teens experience makes it difficult for parents to tell if a child is using drugs. The anti-drug education our kids get in school barely counters the "street education" they pick up from peers and our culture. What are the signs that your child is experimenting with drugs or alcohol, or is at risk of doing so?

  • change of friends (be extra wary if new friendships develop with older teenagers or young adults

  • if a best friend uses drugs

  • careless about her personal appearance

  • a decline in participation at home

  • diminished interest in hobbies, sports, or favorite activities

  • irritability, overreacts to mild criticism or avoids family contact

  • eating and sleeping patterns have changed

  • lack of appreciation for values that used to be important

  • extreme emotional mood swings

  • secretive phone calls

  • lying

  • changes in school performance, tardiness, truancy, and/or disciplinary problems, frequently breaks curfews

  • missing money, personal belongings, prescription drugs or alcohol

  • trouble with the law, shoplifting, truancy, DUI, disorderly conduct

  • using street or drug language

  • eyes are red or glassy, or nose is runny, but no allergies

  • a family history of drug use or alcoholism

  • cigarette smoking can be an early sign that other substance use may be in the picture

  • you discover pipes (or bongs), rolling papers, medicine bottles, butane lighters, homemade pipes or other suspected drub paraphernalia

What drugs are abused by teenagers?

Virtually every drug that is abused by adults is also abused by adolescents. In addition to alcohol, common categories of drugs of abuse include:

  • Tobacco products (for example, cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco)


  • Cannabinoids (for example, marijuana, hashish), sometimes called "pot, weed, Mary Jane, or herb" and is smoked in a "joint," "blunt," "bong," or pipe

  • Cold medications (for example, Sudafed, Benadryl)


  • Inhalants (for example, gasoline, ammonia), the use of which is often referred to as "huffing"


  • Depressants (for example, barbiturates, benzodiazepines), sometimes called "reds, yellows, yellow jackets, downers or roofies"


  • Stimulants (for example, amphetamines, cocaine, methamphetamine), sometimes called "bennies, black beauties, speed, uppers, blow, crack, rock, toot, crank, crystal, or skippy"


  • Narcotics (for example, morphine, heroin, codeine, Oxycontin, Vicodin), sometimes called cody, schoolboy, Tango and Cash, or monkey"


  • Hallucinogens (for example LSD, "mushrooms"), sometimes called "acid, yellow sunshines, buttons, or shrooms"


  • Dissociative anesthetics (for example, phencyclidine/PCP, ketamine), sometimes called "lovely, boat, Love Boat, angel dust, K, vitamin K, or cat" and whose use is often referred to as "getting wet"


  • Club drugs (for example, Ecstasy), sometimes called "X"


  • Others (for example, anabolic steroids), sometimes called "juice or roids"