Teen drug abuse is incredibly dangerous for themselves and the people around them. It can often be scary for a parent, as it’s sometimes hard to tell when your teen is doing something they shouldn’t be.
Sadly, teen drug use is popular and can lead to a change in the direction of their life and hinder their productivity in school. Here’s a guide on why your teen may be doing drugs and the ten most common addictive drugs teens use.
Why Do Teens Abuse Drugs?
Several factors can determine why your teen may be attracted to drug use. One way to help notice when your teen is abusing drugs is to know the factors behind why they want to do them in the first place. Some reasons could include:
- Wanting to fit in with their peers
- Seeking feelings of pleasure
- Dealing with physical or emotional pain
- Using as a performance enhancer for school or sports
- Having curiosity and experimentation
Signs of Drug Abuse in Teens
If you’re suspicious about your teen doing drugs, there are some signs you can look for. Some signs consist of:
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Feeling tired frequently
- Having a depressed mood
- Showing more hostility than usual
- Hanging out with a different crowd
- Not performing well in school
- Changes in their sleep schedule
- Changes in eating habits
- Relationships with friends and family deteriorating
- Spend time and money getting drugs
What Drugs Do Teens Do?
According to the National Institutes of Health’s top ten most abused drugs by teens, the following are the most common and addictive drugs for teen abuse.
- Marijuana
- Prescription amphetamines
- Spice/ K2
- Prescription painkillers
- DXM cough syrup
- Sedatives and tranquilizers
- Hallucinogens
- MDMA (Ecstasy)
- Salvia
- Inhalants
There is a large number of teens who abuse drugs. Sadly, this can alter the direction of their life and possibly lead to other kinds of drug use in the future.
Read More About Teen Drug Abuse