Signs of a Toxic Teenager and When to Seek Professional Help

No one likes to believe that their teenager is doing drugs. Hiding paraphernalia in their backpack, inhaling toxic substances, hanging out with the wrong crowd… not my child! Parents may tell themselves it’s just stress, it’s just a phase, and that it will eventually pass.

But with 1.78 million teens aged 12-17 meeting the criteria for a drug use disorder (according to Teen Drug Use Statistics), the risk is greater than you might think. And denial is a luxury no parent can afford. The sooner you get help, the better.

Knowing the signs of a toxic teenager will help open your eyes so you can recognize when your child needs help. This article will outline what to look for.

What are the Signs of Drug Abuse in Teenagers?

There are several signs to look for that indicate your child may be doing illegal drugs, including the following:

• Mood Swings: Your teen may exhibit signs of anger, irritability, anxiety, and depression

• Changes in Social Groups: They may be hanging out with new friends and be secretive about where they are going and with whom

• Poor Attitude Towards School and Responsibilities: Toxic teen behavior may include apathy towards school and other responsibilities, and failing grades

• Physical Changes: These include red, glassy eyes, a runny nose, sudden changes in weight, frequent nosebleeds, slurred speech, poor coordination, and unusual sleep patterns

• Suspicious Behavior: Your teen may be secretive and lie about where they’ve been. They may sneak out and become defensive if you question them. You may also notice money and valuables missing.

• Drug Paraphenalia: You may find rolling papers, pipes, baggies, and other types of paraphenalia in their room or in their backpack.

• Legal and Safety Issues: These include accidents and injuries with stories that don’t add up or keep changing. Your child could even get into legal trouble.

When to Seek Professional Help

It’s never too early to seek professional help for drug addiction. The more you allow your child to engage in substance abuse, the greater the risks will be. Underlying mental health conditions will worsen, risky behavioral changes will continue, increasing the likelihood that they will hurt themselves or someone else.

Early intervention is especially important for teens whose brains are still developing, including regions that govern impulse control, decision-making, and long-term planning. Repeated drug use changes how the reward and motivation systes work, making it hard to stop later. Statistics published by Statistics published by DrugFree.org reveal that 1 in 4 Americans who began using drugs before age 18 developed an addiction, as compared to 1 in 25 who began using drugs after age 21. 

Many parents don’t want to confront their children, and don’t want to believe their teens are doing drugs, but the sooner you address these issues, the better.

How to Have That Conversation

Teens are often defensive and moody as it is. Substance abuse can enhance this sense of moodiness and defensiveness, making ‘that conversation’ even harder, but with the right approach, you can convince your teen to get the help they need. Here are some useful tips:

• Pick the Right Moment: You may be eager to have that talk right away, but it’s best to wait for a time when neither of you feels rushed.

• Be Concerned, Not Accusatory: Express that you’re concerned about their behavior rather than accusing them of drug use.

• Listen More Than You Talk: Ask open-ended questions that allow your teen to discuss and be honest about negative behavior and to explain the reasons behind it.

• Introduce the Idea of Getting Help: Present options for seeking help, whether that means talking to a mental health professional, a guidance counselor, or visiting a clinic. Let your teen know you will be there with them every step of the way.

• Offer Choices: Giving your teen choices may make them more comfortable and receptive. Ask them what type of help they would prefer.

• Expect Pushback: The conversation may not go as smoothly as you hope, and your child may push back and get defensive. However, it’s important to be as consistent as possible. Explain that you care about them and won’t give up on them.

• End with Reassurance and the Next Step: Assure your teen that things will turn out fine. Let them know the next step (i.e., calling a clinic or making a doctor’s appointment) and tell them you will help them through the process.

What Does Help Look Like?

As a parent, you are probably concerned about what will happen to your child in a treatment center, and your teen may have questions you’ll need to answer. Here’s a rough idea of what to expect.

Detox

Depending on the severity of your teen’s dependecy issues, they may need to undergo detox. This can be a difficult process, as they will experience withdrawal symptoms as their body struggles to function without drugs active in their system. However, an addiction specialists will keep them as comfortable as possible.

The provider can administer medication to control symptooms and cravings. They will monitor vital signs to ensure complications don’t occur. The oversight will also prevent relapse.

Therapy

People often self-medicate to reduce symptoms of a mental health disorder. Once detox is complete, your teen will receive a mental health evaluation to determine underlying causes of addiction, such as anxiety and depression. A therapist will teach them coping strategies so they can deal with their emotions in a healthy manner, without using drugs and alcohol.

A 2020 NIH study reveals that a combination of approaches leads to better outcomes in teens overcoming substance use disorders, mentioning the following therapeutic interventions:

• Cognitive behavior therapy identifies and addresses negative attitudes and thought patterns, and teaches coping strategies that lead to healthier outcomes.

• Dialectical behavior therapy focuses on emotional regulation.

• Prevention programs involving families: Family members are often brought into therapy sessions so they can identify enabling and codependent behaviors that may have contributed to drug use, and ensure they create a healthy environment for their child.

• Motivational Interviewing: Motivates teens to improve.

• Contingency Management: Awards teens for positive behavior, such as maintaining sobriety.

Aftercare

Recovery doesn’t end the moment teens complete the initial stages of treatment. Sobriety is a lifelong journey. Clinics continue to provide support with:

• Ongoing Therapy: Teens may continue seeing a therapist on an outpatient basis and attend support groups to keep toxic behavior and mental health problems under control.

• Healthy Habits: A specialist may recommend healthy habits your teen can engage in to improve self-esteem and keep their mind off drug use.

• Supportive Relationships: Counselors will emphasize the importance of healthy relationships with family and friends in the recovery process.

BNI Treatment Centers Provides a Healthy Environment for Your Teen

When it comes to recovery, teens requiere a specialized approach that takes into account their development stage and lifestyle. BNI meets teens where they are, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and understood. Our academic support will ensure they don’t fall back on school responsibilities, while our compassionate team helps them achieve a higher quality of life.

Contact us to learn how we can help your teen achieve a brighter future.

FAQs

What does toxic teen behavior look like when it’s related to drug use?

Toxic behavior related to drug use includes manipulative child behavior symptoms, aggression, and emotional blackmail that revolves around using and hiding drugs. It may start as normal teenage rebellion, but it will escalate over time, eroding trust and damaging relationships.

How is drug-related behavior different from normal teen experimentation?

Drug-related behavior differs from normal teen experimentation in that it is ongoing, escalates over time, and is accompanied by toxic behavior like lying and manipulation.

Who should I call first when I’m worried about drug-related toxic behavior?

You may start by calling a pediatrician or family doctor who can screen for drug use. A licensed therapist or counselor can address a mental health disorder that may lead to addiction. If there is immediate danger, call emergency services.

What if my teen refuses or denies they have a problem?

If your teen refuses or denies they have a problem, you should seek your own support through community groups, set boundaries around drug use, involve a school pediatrician or counselor for an outside perspective, and continue taking your child to meetings if possible. If things get out of hand consider court involvement or mandated treatment.

Can a teen with drug-related toxic behavior turn things around?

Yes, many teens who exhibited drug-related toxic behavior have turned their lives around. They have significantly cut back on drug use, repaired relationships, and gone back to work or school.