Teenage Drug Abuse: 6 Signs of Drug Use and How To Find Help

Teenage drug abuse is not only damaging to the young person but can also be devastating to their family and friends. It’s painful to watch someone you love fighting an addiction, especially when you’re not sure how you can help.

Addiction counseling and treatment are available in recovery rehab centers like Dove Recovery in Columbus, Ohio. 

If you have a teen in your life who you think may be struggling with a drug use disorder, learn the signs of drug abuse in teens, when it’s time to get help, and where to find the help they need.

Table of Contents

• How Prevalent Is Drug Abuse by Teenagers?
• 6 Signs of Drug Abuse in Teenagers
• How Do You Know When It’s Time To Seek Teenage Drug Abuse Treatment?
• Seek Drug Recovery With Help From Compassionate Professionals at Dove Recovery

Drug use in teens is nothing new. Though drug use has been an issue for much longer, an increase in teen drug use began in the 1960s. Since then, the prevalence of drug use in teenagers has gone up and down, and there have been trends and changes in the types of drugs they use. Even though teenage drug use has declined in 2024, it still remains a major issue that affects many families across the country.

Perhaps these statistics from the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics can help paint a clearer picture: 

• One in eight teenagers abused an illicit drug in the last year.
• Drug use went up 61% in teenagers between 2016 and 2020.
• 50% of teenagers have misused a drug at least once.
• 2.08 million or 8.33% of 12- to 17-year-olds nationwide report using drugs in the last month.
• Even though the use of illicit substances by adolescents has decreased over the last few decades, more teens are overdosing than ever, likely due to the growing supply of fentanyl-laced drugs. According to UCLA Health, “an average of 22 adolescents 14 to 18 years of age died in the U.S. each week in 2022.”
• Also in 2022, one in three high school seniors, one in five sophomores, and one in ten eighth graders used an illicit drug in the last year.

There’s no getting around it, drug use and abuse in teens is an issue that can’t be ignored.

If your teenager is caught in a cycle of drug abuse, reach out to Dove Recovery for help. Our experienced and compassionate team provides drug rehab in Columbus, OH to start you on your road to recovery. Contact us today to learn more.

Why Do Teenagers Experiment With Drug Use?

Common reasons teens abuse drugs include:

• Curiosity
• Peer pressure
• Stress
• A desire to escape
• Seeing other people use substances (parents, family, friends, etc.)
• The prevalence of drug use in the media (movies, commercials, social media, etc.)
• Self-medication
• Boredom
• Rebellion
• Instant gratification
• Lack of confidence
• Misinformation regarding risks
• Depression
• Weight loss (especially with female teens)

What Is the Number One Drug Used by Teens?

The National Institute on Drug Abuse performs the “Monitoring the Future” survey each year. According to the 2024 survey, the top two substances used by teens are alcohol and marijuana. The report shows that over half of high school seniors abused alcohol in the last year. 

Though 2024 saw a general decline in drug use among teenagers, the use of marijuana has been steady or has been increasing in some instances. In addition to alcohol and marijuana, some other substances teens misuse include:

• Nicotine
• Stimulants like Adderall
• Opioids
• Tranquilizers
• Spice/K2
• Hallucinogens
• Inhalants
• DXM
• Prescription drugs
• Cocaine

Recognizing the signs of drug abuse in teenagers may be the most important knowledge you can have to help a young one you love who may be abusing drugs. Though every sign may not be present, a teenager struggling with drug abuse will likely exhibit one or more of the following signs.

#1: Changes in Behavior

Some behavior changes you may witness in a teen who is misusing drugs include:

• Disrespectfulness
• Lying
• Avoiding eye contact
• Loss of interest in normal activities
• Defying authority
• Not being as open as they have been in the past
• Taking a long time to answer you
• Giving indirect answers
• Making excuses
• Locking the door
• Avoiding discussion
• And more

#2: Declining Academic Performance

Many teenagers may struggle with their grades from time to time, but if you notice a sudden drop in academic performance, it may be a sign they are using drugs. Sudden changes you may notice include:

• Failing tests and quizzes
• Poor class grades
• Behavioral issues in class

Additionally, teens using drugs may skip classes or have unexcused tardiness or absences.

#3: Unusual Tiredness

Teenagers using illicit substances may be unusually drowsy or easily fatigued. This could be caused by crashing after using a substance that gives them extraordinary energy, euphoria, or extra excitability. In addition to being more tired than usual, teens who use drugs may also exhibit new or weird sleeping habits.

#4: Changes in Social Circles

Sudden changes in relationships are another warning sign of teen drug abuse, including:

• Changing friend groups
• Avoiding previous friends
• Choosing not to bring new friends around family or friends
• Staying home rather than participating in family outings or events

#5: Physical Symptoms

Physical changes may be the most dramatic and easiest to see. Some physical signs of teenage drug abuse may include:

• Drastic weight gain or loss
• Changes in their style
• Neglecting hygiene
• Not attending to their physical appearance
• Inappropriate dress
• Piercings and tattoos
• Bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils
• Frequent sickness
• Nosebleeds
• Slurred speech
• Bruises
• And more

#6: Needing Money 

Buying drugs or other illicit substances may mean they are consumed with money, so you may notice that they:

• Are always asking for money
• Never have enough money
• Have an excessive amount of cash
• Begin pilfering or stealing

If you think your teenager may need help with a drug addiction, contact Dove Recovery. We offer several rehab programs designed to meet each client’s particular needs. With experienced counselors and professional staff, we want to help you take the first step to recovery.

If your teen exhibits the warning signs listed above, they may need help from a drug abuse treatment center. Since the symptoms of drug abuse may be similar to other conditions, it’s important to be sure that what you believe are drug abuse symptoms are not symptoms of another issue like a mental disorder, anxiety disorder, or bipolar disorder.

The next step would be to talk with your teenager openly, honestly, and compassionately. If you suspect your teenager is dealing with drug abuse, ask straightforward questions in a calm and nonthreatening way. To get the conversation started, you could ask questions like:

• Are you using alcohol?
• Have your friends been offering you drugs?
• Have you been smoking marijuana?

These simple questions can open up the door for a deeper conversation, allowing you to see how severe their drug use might be.

If you find that your teen is using drugs in an addictive way, exhibiting several of the warning signs, negatively affected by drug use, or out of control, seek professional help right away. The earlier drug abuse is recognized, the easier it can be to treat.

Teen drug abuse treatment is available from skilled and caring professionals at Dove Recovery in Columbus, Ohio. We treat an array of addictions, including:

• Alcohol
• Cocaine
• Marijuana
• Adderall
• Meth
• And more

We know that each patient is different, and their substance abuse disorder story is unique. That’s why we customize treatment plans to address each person’s individual needs by employing approaches like:

• Dual diagnosis therapy
• Psychotherapy sessions
• Relapse prevention techniques

In addition, we offer a variety of treatments to help you on each step of your recovery, including:

• Counseling and therapy
• Detox
• Outpatient program
• Intensive outpatient program
• Partial hospitalization program

If you’re concerned about the cost of rehab treatment, Dove Recovery accepts most insurance plans. If your insurance doesn’t cover rehab services, our admissions team can help with our private payment plan options. 

Begin your journey to health and recovery today with Dove Recovery. Contact us today to learn more.