If you think your teenager might be doing drugs, your first instinct is probably going to be to search their room. If they know you’re doing it, you’re likely going to hear a lot of loud protests about privacy. The fact is, as much as you might want to be the cool parent and have your teen see you as a friend, you’re responsible for their health and well-being. They might have a specific right to privacy. However, it’s not to the point where you can just let it go if you think there’s illegal activity going on. If you do a search, don’t expect to find a bag of pills lying in plain sight on the dresser. Kids are pretty good at finding hiding places. Some items might be innocent at first glance that turn out to be indicators of substance use. So what are some of the signs of drug use in teens?
Possible Signs of Drug Use or Drug Paraphernalia
Posters, T-shirts, blankets, etc. that have slogans about drugs or alcohol or pictures of marijuana leaves. These could be innocent, but they could also be an indication that your child identifies with the marijuana culture.
Dryer sheets. Let’s face it, most teenagers avoid doing laundry like the plague, so if you find a box of dryer sheets in their bedroom, the odds are good that they’re using them to cover up certain suspicious smells.
Soda cans or bottles, water bottles, shaving cream canisters. Any of these can be purchased online with false bottoms to hide things in. If your teen is crafty, they could even make these themselves.
Inhalants like canned air, certain cleaning products, spray paint, hair sprays, spray deodorant, cooking spray. Anything with propellants can be used in an attempt to get high.
Sports drinks or other colored beverages. These can be mixed with alcohol and carried around with no one the wiser.
Sploof – a homemade filter made of an empty paper towel or toilet paper roll, used to cover up the smell of marijuana.
Homemade pipes: These can be as low tech as a straw stuck in an apple or be made with aluminum foil or water bottles.
Glass pipes: These are often colorful little figurines that look at first glance like a decorative knickknack.
Electronic cigarettes, which are sometimes made to look like pens.
Brightly colored cans that at first appear to soda or energy drinks can turn out to contain alcoholic beverages.
A book safe. It sounds like something out of a spy film, but you can purchase (or make, with enough time and effort) hollowed out books to hide things inside.
There are many more possible signs of drug or alcohol use with teens, but you should familiarize yourself with the sorts of things that should be in your teen’s room. If they suddenly develop a liking for incense and scented candles or feel the need to purchase a giant bag of straws, it might be time to do some investigating.
Addiction Treatment for Teens
If you or a loved one need help with quitting drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs. You’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals. This includes counselors, and therapists as well. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504 to get started.
