One of the most difficult things to face is the idea that your child may be abusing drugs. What makes it even worse is they may be your drugs they are taking. The Office of National Drug Control Policy reported that in 2009, 1/3 of the kids aged 12 and over who took drugs for the first time, took a prescription medication for non-medical reasons. That is a very alarming figure, especially for parents of teenagers and pre-teens. If even one symptom is noticed, action should be taken immediately. Here are ten signs that your kid might be abusing prescription drugs.
1. Your Medication Goes Missing
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicates that over 70% of people who abused prescription medications and pain relievers got them from family members and friends. It may only start with one or two pills missing, but the trend usually increases. Don’t regard missing pills lightly. Always investigate missing narcotics and other drugs.
2. Increased School Absence
Not only is missing a lot of school an indication of drug addiction, but it also provides easy access to parent’s prescription drugs. According to Parents, the Anti Drug, this is one of the ten signs that your kid might be abusing prescription medication. It also is a sign that they may be abusing any drug. School absences are present in teens who abuse prescription medications.
3. Increased Secrecy
If a child is spending all of their time in their room, or is keeping secrets above and beyond normal teenage behavior, it may be a sign that your kid may have a substance abuse problem. Addiction is often noted by increased secrecy. It is a parent’s right to know what their child is doing, and it should be exercised.
4. Frequent Complaints of Pain
A child does not always get the prescription medication from a parent. Perhaps they did at first, but then they figure out that they can get their own from a doctor. Some doctors overprescribe pain killers, so chances are, your child could easily get them by visiting different doctors complaining of pain.
5. Marked Change in Behavior
People, including children, who are addicted to drugs such as oxycontin will become very euphoric when taking the drug. The addiction causes them to become very irritable and even sometimes violent when they do not have access to the drug. A child or teen that frequently has mood changes for no apparent reason may be exhibiting signs of addiction.
6. Neglected Appearance
Most teens are obsessed with their appearance. With a child who may have an addiction, their appearance often gets worse. The effects of prescription drugs, and many other drugs lead kids to neglect their appearance overall. This becomes very obvious to parents and others quickly, and it should never be ignored.
7. Theft
Although most kids can get prescription drugs on their own, or through family and friends, some resort to buying it. It is readily available for sale on the streets. The Mayo Clinic reports that one sign of addiction to prescription medication may be stealing from family members, friends, and sometimes strangers.
8. Losing Prescriptions
Once a kid has figured out how to easily get the pain medication, they often feign losing the prescription in order to obtain more of the drug. Of course, this can happen legitimately, but if it happens with narcotics, or happens more than once, it may be a sign of substance abuse.
9. Taking More Medication Than Prescribed
One of the main symptoms of prescription medication abuse, according to the Mayo Clinic, is taking more medication than has been prescribed. If your kid runs out of their pain medication much too quickly, it may be because they are taking more than has been prescribed. This is a cause for concern.
10. Poor Decision Making
Maybe teens aren’t well known for their exceptional decision making qualities, but one that has a substance abuse problem makes even worse decisions. Their use of a prescription drug will, over time, cause them to make poorer decisions overall. If this is combined with any other warning signs, it should be investigated further.
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Narconon is well aware of the increase of kids who are abusing prescription drugs. Parent’s should know the signs and symptoms and act on any findings that indicate there may be substance abuse. No one is safe from prescription drug abuse and addiction. It is happening globally to people of all ages. Sadly, the biggest increase is among the young people. The drugs are far too easy to get, and the effect is very powerful. Prescription drugs which are abused are often pain killers and psychotropic drugs. These addictions are not easy to avoid, and they are difficult to beat, although it can be done.
Narconon offers a drug-free treatment for any types of drug addiction for addicts at least 18 years old. For more information about our drug rehab program, please call 1-877-782-7409.
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