In this article we’ll discuss 5 warning signs to make you aware of that may show your child could be involved in drugs.
Illegal drugs are often widely available to children, even young ones who are in school and college. Being involved with taking drugs could mean children or young adults are not risking damaging their health but could also become involved in dealing to others.
The supply of Class A drugs can result in serious consequences which can impact your child’s entire life, so it’s really important for parents to be vigilant when it comes to spotting signs of drug involvement. In this article, we’re sharing our tips on the warning signs that your child may be involved in drugs.
5 Warning Signs That Your Child May Be Taking Drugs
Although not always obvious, there are a few signs which may indicate that your child is taking or experimenting with drugs and some of these include:
Physical changes
When a child or teen is regularly taking drugs, there will often be physical indications, including:
- Regular nosebleeds
- A constantly runny nose
- Sores around the mouth and / or nose
- Dramatic weight changes such as a loss or gain
- Perspiration even during cold weather
- Slurred or rapid speech
Hygiene issues
When a person becomes involved in taking drugs, they will often neglect their personal hygiene and will lose any interest in showering or wearing clean clothes. This will also be reflected in their general appearance as how they look will become less and less important to them.
Neglecting relationships with friends and family
You may notice that your child is neglecting long standing friendships in favour of new ones – particularly new friends that you may not have met. Relationships with family members are also likely to change as the child or teen will show little regard for household rules.
Mood & personality changes
Drugs can cause some quite alarming changes in mood and personality but, unfortunately, these are often mistaken for the normal side effects of puberty so it can be tricky to spot. Changes to be aware of that could indicate drug usage include:
- Hostile or aggressive behaviour
- Irrational behaviour
- Secretive and deceitful behaviour
- A lack of communication
- A deterioration in focus on schoolwork leading to decreased grades
- Missing belongings
When a child begins to slide into drug addiction, they will be seeking money to fuel their habit. Because of this, they could often steal small amounts of cash from their home or be selling their belongings in order to buy drugs.
What To Do If You Suspect Your Child Is Taking Drugs
If you’ve spotted one or more of these warning signs, your first step should be to have an open and honest conversation with your child. It may be that they have simply decided to experiment and have quickly become out of their depth and could even welcome the help.
If this doesn’t work, it’s time to turn investigator. While nobody wants to invade their child’s privacy, searching their room, bags and pockets may be the only option. If you do find drugs or evidence of drug taking, you may want to consider the services of a counsellor while temporarily restricting your child’s freedom to prevent further drug taking.
5 Warning Signs Your Child May Be Dealing Drugs
While taking drugs can impact on your child’s health and education, dealing can have far more serious consequences. In some instances, children caught drug dealing could face a custodial sentence in a young offender’s institution.
In this section, we’re looking at some of the things which may indicate that your child is dealing drugs:
Unexplained possession of cash
You may notice that your child suddenly has more cash to spend and may be inexplicably acquiring expensive items such as clothing and technology. All of which, they would usually not be able to afford with pocket money or wages from a part-time job.
Secretive behaviour
If your child is dealing drugs, you’ll probably see this reflected in the use of their devices. For example, they may quickly shut their laptop when you walk into the room, or they may leave the room to take phone calls and become shifty when confronted.
Leaving the house at odd hours frequently
When a teen has become involved in dealing drugs, they will tend to go out more often and at strange times of day and night, often without warning.
Increase in vague friendships
You may notice that your child suddenly seems to be interacting with a larger number of people, including new friends that they will be extremely vague about.
Loss of focus
When a child has become involved in dealing drugs, they will tend to lose interest in schoolwork. This is often because they’re under the impression that they now have a potential career.
What To Do If You Suspect Your Child is Dealing Drugs
As your child will almost certainly deny any involvement in drug dealing, it’s important to gather as much evidence as you can before confronting your child. It’s also a good idea to contact a solicitor if you believe that your child is involved in criminal activity which may affect their future as well as seeking therapy for the child involved.
Dealing with drugs directly…
Nobody wants to believe that their child is involved with drugs but, unfortunately, this is a reality for many parents in the UK. In fact, around 274,000 children and young people in the UK are regular drug takers. Making yourself familiar with the warning signs is extremely important as this may allow you to nip the problem in the bud before it becomes an issue which may impact on your child’s – and your family’s – life.
Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained legal professional. Be sure to consult a lawyer/solicitor if you’re seeking advice on drug involvement. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
