The Signs of Substance Abuse in Teenagers

The use of drugs can be very destructive not only to teens but also their families. Therefore, the earlier the intervention, the better it will be. But the problem is that most often, substance abuse in teenagers have already been happening months or years before their parents know about it. Even when their parents are aware about their teens using drugs, some just take it for granted or even underestimate the level of involvement of their child.

If you are suspecting that your teenager is using drugs, do not ignore the warning signs. Teenagers rarely grasp the idea of addiction. Most of them thought that they are resistant to danger. For some teenagers, the pressure from peers and stress of adolescence is just so overwhelming and drugs have become a tempting escape. Some of the common signs your child is using drugs include:

•    neglected hygiene or self appearance
•    grades dropping
•    poor self image
•    unexplained drop of weight
•    glassy eyes
•    violent reactions at home
•    skin abrasions
•    chemical breath
•    red eyes
•    change in friends
•    valuables missing
•    borrowing or stealing money
•    reckless behavior
•    hostility towards the members of the family
•    depression
•    apathy
•    verbally abusive
•    disrespectful to parents and elderly
•    loss of interest in healthy and physical activities
•    slurred speech
•    lack of motivation and a whole lot more.

Unfortunately, in the recent years, teenage drug abuse statistics have shown to increase. As a result, more teens are getting involved in various forms of crimes. If any of the above given signs seemed applicable to your teenager as well as their behavior, there is a high chance of destructive pattern developing in them which requires immediate intervention. Responses of shame or denial to drug use will only become an additional obstacle that needs to be overcome.

There are many reasons why teenagers are enticed to use drugs. It could be because they see it as an escape to their problems. Others use drugs because they want to fit in a new group, they want to rebel against their parents and want to experience the excitement and thrill of taking a risk.

It is very frustrating to know that teenagers have been hooked into using drugs. Substance abuse in teenagers can be prevented. Teens involved in drugs need serious attention from their parents or other members of the family. It is not too late to make them realize that drugs will only be destruction to their future. There are many rehabilitation centers and medical professionals that can aid parents in getting help to eliminate the use and dependency of drugs in teenagers.

Features of Medication Lock Boxes and Bottles

A medical lock box is a medicine storage and holder for capsules, tablets and other types of drugs and they can be vitamins or prescription medications. Most medicine lock boxes come in rectangular shape and made from metal, wood or plastic. They offer moms a handy and inexpensive way of organizing their medicines and in making sure they are not easily accessible to kids.

The smallest type of pill organizer only has one compartment and is made to hold one dose, or a day’s worth of vitamins or medication. The type of medicine lock box that has seven compartments is more popular. It has a compartment or section for each day of the week.

Each weekday name is imprinted on the lid of the compartment. When you reach the last day of the week and all the capsules or tablets have been taken, the pill organizer will be ready to be refilled for the next week.

Plastic medication bottles come in different colors like yellow, blue, pink, green and clear. The reason for using different colors of pill organizer at home should be not be mainly for looks or aesthetics, rather, to make it easy to find and identify the medications of each family member. Colored medication bottles can look appealing especially to kids therefore it is extremely important that the bottle you choose comes with a lock and that they are stored in secured cabinets that can’t be easily reached or accessed.

The closing and opening part of the medicine bottles are designed to be easy to open making them a danger to kids therefore you should choose a medicine box that comes with a lock. Aside from the common plastic version, there are also other models available such as fancier medication bottles that come with alarms.

The alarms are designed to be set for times the patient will take the medicines stored in the medication box. Some pill organizers of this type have vibrating feature to remind the patient to take his or her capsule or tablet medications on time. Choose a medication lock bottle that suits your needs best.

How to Help your Teen Avoid Drugs

Drug use and abuse has become the leading problems in teenagers of today. This growing dilemma is present in various parts of the country. Thousands of teenagers are using illicit drugs. Drug abuse in teenagers could lead to other problem. Studies have shown that teens who engage in drug use and abuse are likely to commit suicide and other crimes. They are highly at risk for drug overdose and vehicular accidents as well. Generally, this may result to death and protecting your kids is the best way on how to prevent drug abuse in teenagers.

Studies done on teens concerning the use of drugs showed a direct relationship between the connection levels they feel with loved ones and drug use. Teenagers who feel they are more connected to their families are unlikely or less likely to use and abuse drugs. Talking to your teenagers and listening to them without judgments would be the best way to create a healthy and good connection or line of communication with them.

Discuss with your teenagers matters about their friends, their feelings and about school. Teenagers who are suffering from depression are also likely to engage in drug use and abuse. By listening to your kids, you can easily detect indications of depression early on.

If you are suspecting your teenager has already been abusing drugs, the best and most effective approach is early intervention. The methods of early detection and intervention are actually the best ways you can help your teenager. This begins with communication but this is not going to be easy especially when they abuse drugs.

It might be necessary to carry out a test so you can find out whether your teen is using or abusing drugs or not. Though drug tests are usually performed at facilities, you can also purchase a testing kit and get it done at help. This helps your teenager to feel less vulnerable and safe.

But before doing any test, it is very important that you know the right drug testing you should use. Most drug tests can be altered easily and can be a barrier to detecting if your teenager is using drugs. The most effective methods of drug testing are fingernail and hair follicle drug testing. These tests can detect use of drugs for up to 90 days and are not alterable.

Drug prevention is the first step towards eliminating the use and abuse of drugs in teenagers.