Teen Drug Abuse (cont.)
What are the symptoms of drug abuse in teens?
Some of the most common symptoms of drug abuse in teenagers include lying,
making excuses, breaking curfew, staying in their room, becoming verbally or
physically abusive toward others, having items in their possession that are
connected to drug use (paraphernalia), the smell of drugs (for example, solvent smell
of inhalants, marijuana smell) on them, mood swings, stealing, and changes in
friends. Examples of paraphernalia include matches, rolling papers, and pipes for
drugs that are smoked, multiple pill bottles for substances that are in pill
form, mirrors for drugs that are snorted, and needles, syringes, and items that
can be used as tourniquets for drugs that are injected. In addition to those
more behavioral symptoms, loved ones can look for the physical symptoms of drug
intoxication and withdrawal. Given the complexity of those symptoms and how much
they depend upon the specific drug being abused, loves ones are advised to have
their family member evaluated medically and/or psychiatrically if substance
abuse is suspected for any reason.
What is the treatment of drug intoxication?
Supporting the substance-abuse sufferer medically is the approach to managing
most drug intoxications, since many substances of abuse can affect bodily
functions (for example, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate). In addition to
close medical monitoring, doctors usually have the individual assessed
psychiatrically, since drugs are associated with everything from impaired
judgment to severe aggression, assaultive behavior, and even suicidal and
homicidal behaviors. Some medications are available to specifically counteract
the effects of drugs. For example, naltrexone is used to counteract the effects
of opioid intoxication. Blood pressure medications may be administered to
patients who are suffering from high blood pressure associated with stimulant
intoxication and with withdrawal from depressants. Fluids are often administered to those who have become dehydrated, and cooling blankets are given to those whose temperatures have become dangerously high, as may occur with Ecstasy.
Next: What are treatments for drug addiction? »
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