Tony Hoffman, a promising BMX racer at just 18 years old, seemed destined for success. From the outside, his life appeared picture-perfect. But after using marijuana just once, he began a downward spiral into addiction—convincing himself each time that it would be the last. His story of drug abuse serves as a powerful reminder of how quickly substance use can take hold, even in those with bright futures.
As parents, we want to do everything possible to prevent this from happening to our teens. Understanding the early signs of substance use is a critical first step in offering timely support and intervention. While teens may want to stop, addiction often leaves them feeling powerless. They need guidance, care, and unwavering support to take the steps necessary to turn their lives around.
Recognizing the warning signs and acting early can make all the difference in helping them build a healthier, brighter future.
Drug Abuse and Substance Misuse in Teens
On the surface, many of our teens look like they are doing great. However, like Tony Hoffman, many teens commonly struggle with mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and substance use. For some, these issues fade. However, many teens who begin to use substances as teens develop an addiction, which wreaks chaos in their lives. From the first use of drugs, teens with a high risk of developing addiction no longer have a choice. They often want to stop but do not know how and do not understand the process that is occurring in their body, which is addiction.
Prevalence of Drug Abuse in Teenage Populations
In 2023, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reported that 10.9% of eighth graders, 19.8% of 10th graders, and 31.2% of 12th graders have used illegal drugs in the past year. This is a significant amount of teens who are struggling with substance use. Of these teens, many will develop addiction, being unable to control their substance use both as teens and into young adulthood.
Type of Illicit Drugs Used by Teens
There are a variety of substances that our teens use. Each teen’s path to substance use and addiction is unique. However, each type of drug can consume their lives and take them down a path toward addiction, homelessness, or prison.
Drugs that are most commonly used among our teens include:
- Alcohol
- Vaping/nicotine
- Cannabis
- Narcotics
Each of these illicit drugs has a unique effect. However, the early signs of substance abuse are similar for each.
Recognizing Early Signs of Substance Abuse in Teens
Early signs of substance use or drug abuse in our teens is very important. Substance abuse in our teens is not a failure. In fact, it just means that we, as the support system for our teens, have work to do. The first step is to recognize when our teens need support and care. Looking for changes, including differences in behavior, academics, social groups, emotional state, and physical appearance, are all parts of recognizing when our teens are on a path toward substance abuse and addiction.
Behavioral Changes
When our teens use substances, their behaviors change drastically. Tony Hoffman, as a teen, went from being focused on BMX racing to spending his time smoking marijuana. This change is an example of large-scale changes that occur. For many teens, this is the case. They will go from loving certain activities and being fully engaged to spending their time doing “nothing.” Which often means using illicit drugs or alcohol.
However, not all behavioral changes are as obvious. Addiction is a progressive disease. This means that while our teens may eventually show large-scale behavioral changes, small changes occur along the way. Using Tony as an example, he didn’t go from being fully involved in BMX riding to dropping it completely. It started with one time of smoking marijuana. Then, over time, he slowly began to spend less time on his BMX riding. This subtle change in his behavior was an early warning sign of substance use.
In conversation with us, changes in behavior that can indicate substance use include behaviors that indicate that our teens are not being completely honest. This may include not making eye contact, making excuses, or outright lying. Other behaviors that can indicate that our teens are using substances include needing more money than before, coming home at different times, being secretive, or isolating themselves.
Academic Performance
Substance use in teens affects the brain significantly. Our teens are at a time when their brains are developing, and therefore, substance use has a more significant effect on them. Academic performance, as a result of the changes in the brain due to substance use, is impacted.
When our teens begin to use substances, they have a more difficult time focusing in class, problem-solving, and staying engaged in school. As a result, their academic performance suffers. Teens who have loved school and thrived in class before substance use will begin to get lower grades. They may forget to turn in assignments or simply not learn the material necessary to do well on a test or on assignments.
Changes in academic performance can be related to a variety of issues. However, sudden changes that accompany other changes that are often tied to substance use indicate the possibility of a teen using substances. When a teen’s academic performance is changing due to substance use, it will commonly begin to change slowly. Then, as substance use increases, their grades will drop off more and more. This is why catching it early and opening up a dialogue with our teens is so important. There is hope in stopping the flow of negative changes that are occurring as a result of substance use.
Social Changes
The people that our teens spend time with have a significant impact on who they are and the decisions they make. This is not to say that our teens do not have their own minds. Instead, it is to recognize the importance of the social relationships that our teens have. When a teen spends time with other teens who are not using substances, they are quite simply not around it. This decreases their risk of using more or other substances.
However, when teens begin to use substances, the only way for them to continue to use substances is to be around them. Our teens begin to choose to spend time with others who are interested in substance use. This may include a buddy who introduced them to smoke. However, as they look towards buying substances, they look for other relationships that aid in their continued substance use, such as a dealer.
Knowing our teens, including who they spend time with, is very important in being able to recognize the early signs of substance use. When our teens make a new friend, it is important to get to know them, ask some questions, and understand if this new friend is related to positive or negative changes in a teen’s life. Observing these social changes, along with other changes in our teens, helps provide us with clues about whether our teens are using substances.
Mental Health Disorders and Emotional Changes
Drug abuse significantly impacts the brain, altering the way teens think, feel, and interact with the world around them. When teens use drugs, the chemical changes in their brains disrupt natural processes, particularly those related to decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Over time, these disruptions can make it harder for teens to think clearly, manage stress, or form healthy relationships, leading to mental health problems that can persist into adulthood.
Teen drug abuse not only affects brain chemistry but also increases the risk of developing mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, or severe mood swings. These mental health disorders often create a challenging cycle, as teens may turn to substances to cope with their emotional struggles, further deepening their reliance on drugs. Addressing both teen substance use and associated mental health problems is critical to breaking this cycle and providing the tools necessary for recovery.
As a parent, it’s natural to notice emotional changes in your teen and wonder if they’re part of normal adolescent development or a sign of something more concerning. While ups and downs are common during the teen years, emotional changes stemming from teen drug abuse are often more severe and unpredictable. These changes, driven by the use of drugs, may include increased agitation, anxiety, and depression. Unlike the emotional shifts tied to typical life challenges, these patterns often lack consistency, making them harder to recognize without understanding the underlying risk factors.
Physical Changes
Substance use affects each teen differently, but one of the most noticeable signs is physical change. Significant weight gain or loss often accompanies teen drug abuse, as substances interact with the body and brain in ways that disrupt normal functions. Some substances, such as certain prescription drugs, can suppress appetite, leading to rapid weight loss. Others may increase cravings for food, resulting in unhealthy weight gain.
As a parent, it’s important to differentiate between normal developmental changes and those caused by substance use disorder. While teens naturally experience transformations in their physical appearance—such as changes in shoe sizes or clothing sizes—physical changes related to drug use are often accompanied by other signs of declining health. For instance, teens struggling with drug addiction may experience disrupted sleep patterns, poor complexion, or a general lack of vitality.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse highlights that physical changes are a key indicator of potential substance use. Teens who have used drugs, whether prescription drugs or illegal drugs, may exhibit symptoms that go beyond weight changes, signaling broader mental health issues or a developing substance use disorder. These changes serve as a red flag for parents to pay closer attention and take proactive steps to address the situation.
When you notice significant and unhealthy physical changes in your teen, consider the possibility that substance use or drug addiction may be contributing factors. Engaging in open conversations about the challenges they are facing—including mental health concerns and the risks of drug use—can help uncover the root cause. Early intervention and understanding the connection between drug addiction, mental health, and physical well-being are essential in supporting your teen on the path to recovery.
Helping Teens Find Freedom From Substance Use
Substance use disorder among teens is often surrounded by harmful stigmas that can prevent open conversations and effective intervention. Society frequently assumes that teens who struggle with drug use or addiction lack self-control or simply need to develop more willpower to resist peer pressure. However, this perception oversimplifies the complex factors influencing teen drug abuse and fails to address the challenges unique to this age group, including those with family history or others who may be at higher risk.
The adolescent brain is still developing in this age group, particularly in areas responsible for impulse control, decision-making, and evaluating long-term consequences. This makes teens more susceptible to risky behaviors, including drug use, marijuana use, and drinking alcohol. Additionally, factors such as low self-esteem, peer pressure, and untreated mental health issues can provide an increased risk to further drive teens toward substance use. For some, early experimentation with substances like prescription drugs or alcohol may seem harmless but can quickly escalate into a substance use disorder, leading to negative consequences that impact their physical, emotional, and social well-being.
The Importance of Open Communication
To support teens struggling with substance use, it’s crucial to create a safe space for honest and judgment-free conversations. Teens need to feel heard and understood, especially when navigating the pressures that lead to drug use or drinking. By addressing these issues openly, parents and caregivers can help teens recognize how their poor judgment choices today may lead to unintended outcomes, such as addiction, poor mental health or emotional problems, or even the development of a personality disorder.
Providing older teens with accurate information about the risks of drug use, including the impact on their adolescent brain and the potential for negative consequences, empowers them to make more informed decisions. Conversations should also emphasize that addiction is not a moral failing but a condition that requires understanding, support, and appropriate care.
Taking Action Before It’s Too Late
The best way to help substance-abusing youth avoid the long-term effects of substance use disorder from prescription drugs or other drugs is to intervene early. Whether your teen has used drugs casually or shows signs of dependency, proactive steps can prevent their substance use from becoming a more serious issue. Encouraging them to discuss their feelings, addressing their mental health needs, and providing resources for professional help can make all the difference in their recovery journey.
By breaking the stigma surrounding teen drug abuse and creating an environment of support and understanding, parents and caregivers can help adolescents navigate these challenges and set them on a healthier, more positive path for the future.
Initiating Conversations With Teens
Ideally, we will have an open dialogue regarding substance use with our teens. However, when we don’t, it is time to initiate a conversation about it. This conversation can lead to an open and ongoing dialogue, which helps us to stay engaged with issues that our teens experience regarding substance use.
Initiating a conversation regarding substance use is difficult. However, what it truly takes is honesty. Our teens are important to us. If we want them to be honest with us, we need to take a breath and be honest with them. Starting a conversation can look different depending on the situation. We can start by asking about the new crowd our teen is spending time with. However, it can also begin with talking about substance use and concern over our teens being exposed to it.
When we initiate a conversation, it is important not to enter into the conversation as being on the offensive. We need to be open, as we want our teens to be comfortable talking to us about the challenges they are experiencing. Remember, the most important part is to start an open dialogue where both you and your teen can be respectful and honest.
Parental Role in Addressing Substance Use
When our teens drink or use substances, many people in their lives will see the effect. However, parents have a significant part in a young adult’s life and can, therefore, play a vital role in addressing drug use. This is due to the high exposure teens have to their parents, making it easy for us to see what changes are occurring due to teen drug use and encourage them to quit continued use of drugs and alcohol for the sake of thrill-seeking and instead make healthy choices.
However, it is also due to our ability to address substance use from home. When we address substance use at home, teens learn in a safe space. They can learn the skills they need to protect themselves and make positive choices for themselves regarding their use of prescription opioids, drugs, alcohol, and other risky behaviors.
Guiding and assisting our teen’s drug use when they are using substances can feel hopeless. However, it is not. As parents, we can keep going, keep talking, keep encouraging, and continue to be there for our teens as effective support in their lives.
Importance of Support in Addressing Substance Use
As parents and loved ones, we see that our teens have so much to give. We know that our teens can be a light in this world, and we want them to be successful. However, we also see how even a single time smoking marijuana or other forms of drug use, like Tony Hoffman, can derail their lives.
When we address drug use after seeing early signs, we can put a stop to behaviors that will have a profound impact on our teen’s life. As a result, we can help our teens save themselves before they find themselves in a position where they wish someone has supported them to make a change as a teen.
Substance use and addiction are common in teens. However, Tony Hoffman knows how much substance use can derail a teen’s life. Tony took years and years to rebuild his life, but your teen does not have to. As parents, you can make a difference in your teen’s life. You can open up communication when you recognize the subtle signs of substance use and help them to make better choices for themselves moving forward in their lives. If you are interested in learning more about Tony Hoffman, his story, or how he can help your teen by encouraging them to make a change now, call today at (559) 392-8897 and speak with Tony.
