How Do I Know If My Son Is Using Drugs

How Do Teen and Young Adult Drug Use Patterns Differ?

For those considering how do I know if my son is on drugs, it’s crucial to remember that teenagers and young adults are in a unique circumstance when it comes to the impact of substances on their growing bodies and brains. At a younger age, a combination of peer pressure, social norms, and the inability to fully process the long-term consequences of these decisions can steer people toward a dark path of experimentation, dependence, addiction, and even death as drugs run their course.

Even after the teenage years, unique patterns of substance use problems will exist well into the late 20s or even early 30s, which is why there are many factors to consider when trying to address millennial addictions or Gen Z drug problems, even when they’re a grown adult.

Teenagers, especially, will tend to exhibit unique patterns or experimentation with drug use:

• Experimentation is a common starting point for drug problems, as teens test out commonly available substances like alcohol, marijuana, or even prescription medications.
• Limited access, such as due to legal purchasing ages or inability to drive themselves to get substances, can make some teens more likely to experiment with things they can get. For example, suppose they can’t buy alcohol, cigarettes, or marijuana. In that case, some teens might instead look to their parents’ medicine cabinet for substances they can try, or they could test out things like inhalants or household supplies.
• Peer pressure and social influence are major factors at this younger age, making teens more likely to try something that they would never do if they were a bit older.
• Development is rapidly changing during this time, and a teenager’s brain is still undergoing significant growth and development because their brains aren’t fully developed yet, especially in crucial areas that control things like impulse control and decision-making, making them more likely to make poor decisions and get hooked on drugs much faster.

Even young adults who have made it through their teenage years exhibit unique patterns of drug use, including:

• Increased access to substances due to becoming of legal age or being surrounded by easy access to drugs on college campuses or at workplaces can make it more likely that someone in their early 20s will experiment with new substances or seek out new things to try.
• Evolution of substance use patterns is common in the late teens and early 20s. As someone moves beyond experimentation or casual use, they might develop specific use patterns or even start to combine things more commonly, such as alcohol and marijuana.
• Changing social norms can make it seem like everyone else is using drugs or drinking, and that can drive a person in their early 20s to start experimenting with drugs even if they resisted doing so in their teens.
• Peak substance use is common in the late teens or early 20s, especially with more social drugs like alcohol or marijuana. At this age, problematic substance use, such as binge drinking, is all too familiar.

What Are the Most Common Drugs Used by Teens Today?

There’s no doubt: Alcohol is the most abused substance for teenagers and young adults. Here are some of the statistics for teen drinking:

• 1.19 million: Number of 12- to 17-year-olds who reported binge drinking in the past month.
• 7.1 million: Number of 12- to 20-year-olds who drank in the last month.
• 25.6 percent: Percentage of eighth-graders who drank at least once.
• 61.5 percent: Percentage of teens who had abused alcohol by the time they got to 12th grade.
• 2.7 percent: Percentage of 12th-graders who said they drank daily.

When it comes to drug use by teens and young adults, the statistics show that this kind of experimentation and abuse is relatively common:

• 2.08 million: Number of 12- to 17-year-olds who said they used drugs in the past month. That’s about 8.33 percent of the age group.
• 83.88 percent: Percentage of teens who had used drugs in the last month who had used marijuana.
• 46.6 percent: Percentage of teens who had tried illicit drugs by the 12th grade.
• 2.52 percent: Percentage of teens who said they had misused pain relievers.
• 788,000: Number of teens 12 to 17 who met the criteria for illicit drug use disorder.

The most commonly used drugs among teenagers (other than alcohol) include marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens, and painkillers.

How Do I Talk to My Son About Drug Use Without Accusing Him?

If you’re wondering how do I know if my son is on drugs, you’ll want to know how to have this meaningful conversation with him in a way that will be productive and possibly encourage him to get the help he needs. Research shows that specific tactics are ineffective, such as ignoring the problem, nagging, attempting to shame, or yelling at them.

So, what does work? One of your biggest goals should be having the chance to explain why you’re concerned about their drug use clearly and calmly. Speak from your own perspective, rather than trying to know their personal thought processes about it, and avoid blame or being overly defensive. Keep the conversation two-sided; they should have a chance to talk as well, and you should listen to them.

You can help drive the conversation by asking questions, such as what you can do to support them in making a change. Rather than forcing them to accept rehab right now or never talk to them again, which is often depicted in interventions, try to get them to talk about what they’re willing and able to do right now and find a way to help them do that.

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When Should I Consider Getting Professional Addiction Help for My Son?

If you’re still wondering how do I know if my son is on drugs or how to help an alcoholic son, pay close attention and look for the warning signs of drug or alcohol problems, such as continuing to use substances despite the negative consequences, using more than intended, or starting to fail at keeping up with daily responsibilities like school or work.

If you see these warning signs, it should be clear that something needs to change, and without treatment, it’s unlikely that someone who is struggling with addiction is going to be able to make that change all on their own. Drug rehab centers with compassionate staff and comprehensive treatment programs can be a life-saving source of support and help, and you should try to encourage your son to get the help he needs.

 

Key Takeaways on How Do I Know If My Son Is on Drugs

• Experimentation is common in adolescence.
• Many teenagers and young adults use things like alcohol, marijuana, and prescription medications due to peer pressure, social norms, and incomplete brain development.
• Starting substance use and experimentation at an earlier age can make someone more likely to end up having drug problems.
• Professional addiction treatment can help younger adults break the chains of addiction and learn new coping skills.
• With treatment, a long, healthy life is possible for young adults after addiction.

For anyone considering how do I know if my son is on drugs, there are warning signs to watch for, but once you see them, then what? It’s important to remember that you don’t have to go through this alone. Professional drug rehab treatment can help your son overcome addiction and gain the tools they needs to live a better life in recovery. If you’re ready to learn more about how you can help your son, call Resurgence Behavioral Health at 855-458-0050 today.

Resources

• Partnership to End Addiction – Signs of Drug Use in Teens
• National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics – Drug Use Among Youth: Facts & Statistics
• Psyche – How to Talk About Someone’s Substance Use