Many Americans and their children have experimented with or used alcohol and other drugs. Nearly 50% of children in 11th grade have used marijuana. Alcohol is an addictive drug, but many children do not consider alcohol a drug. There are two basic reasons children use drugs. Some drugs work in such a way that a  child’s body will actually get used to that drug and then depend on it. When that child stops taking a drug, their body can have a lot of unpleasant symptoms because it has adjusted to it. These symptoms will usually go away when the child uses the drug again. The other reason children replace drugs has a lot to do with the effect of the drug on their mind and emotions.

For many children, certain drugs seem to make them feel better mentally or emotionally. In some cases, starting with one drug can lead to the use of other drugs. Some drugs require larger and larger amounts to produce the same effect. This is called tolerance and diminished effect. Some children will take additional drugs to help them reduce the unpleasant effects of the drugs they are already misusing. Some of these unpleasant after-effects include agitation, irritability or depression. Eventually a child may take too much of a drug to feel the same effect. While the child's thoughts and feelings may require more drugs to feel the same affect, their heart, lungs and digestive system can become dysfunctional or even shut down. This overdosing can cause permanent medical damage or even loss of life. Some drugs can be dangerous to take. Small amounts can have powerful effects. Other drugs, after several months of use, can be dangerous to stop without proper evaluation and treatment.

Knowing why a person is using drugs is not as important as knowing what drugs the person is using, when they are taking drugs and how. Dealing with drug abuse can be difficult without information, guidance and support. Recognizing the symptoms of drug use can help you understand and seek help for yourself and children. The following lists can help you identify and describe the issues you are facing and experiencing.

Denial and Minimizing Behavior

• Will go see doctors to help cope with the symptoms and side-effects of drug use
• Unwilling to tell a doctor about drug use
• Friends and family suspect a drug problem
• Denies solid evidence of drug use
• Minimizes the amount of drugs used
• Sincerely believes they could stop if they wanted but refuses to stop even for a while
• Admits to using a less dangerous drug to minimize a problem with a more serious drug
• Refuses to acknowledge even the obvious consequences or symptoms of drug use in their life
• Makes frequent excuses for strange, bizarre or irresponsible behavior
• Blames others for their problems

Addiction and Cravings

• Cannot stop using drugs for more than one month
• Feels the urge to use drugs several times a week
• Has difficulty controlling the amount of drugs they use
• Won’t stop using drugs until they run out
• Spends money on drugs that should be used to pay for other necessities
• Starts treatment but then doesn’t cooperate
• Finds reasons or makes excuses to quit treatment
• Doesn’t seem to learn from mistakes or change their behavior

Impacts of Character and Personality

• Believes they are going to be harmed by people who want to help
• Can’t manage money and will resort to lying to get more money
• Borrows money for drugs from others who they cannot pay back
• Will take money or steal belongings from family or friends for drugs
• Will act abusive or threaten others who confront their drug use
• Easily upset or quick to react with anger
• Frequent displays of temper or anger
• Frequent emotional outbursts and mood swings
• Reckless or irresponsible behavior
• Unstable, extreme and intense relationships
• Pushes people away but then desperately wants them back
• Easily frustrated and upset
• Justifies hurting others who resist being manipulated
• Will act self-destructive or suicidal to get what they want

Social Impacts

• Has repeated problems with police or other legal problems
• Often late or absent from work or school without good reason
• Can’t keep a job or won’t get a job
• Is suspended from school
• Their efforts to solve their problems don’t make sense and are not effective
• Seems unable to see things from another person’s point of view
• Reacts to criticism with feelings of intense guilt, anger or depression
• Responds with rage and anger when their point of view is not accepted
• Requires an excessive amount of attention and support
• Seems to ignore the impact of their behavior on others
• Avoids healthy family or social activities
• Does not follow through with promises

Mental Health Symptoms Associated With Drug Abuse

• Symptoms of anxiety or panic
• Symptoms of depression
• Destructive thoughts, feelings and behaviors
• Suicidal thoughts, feelings or behaviors
• Violent thoughts, feelings and behavior
• Strange, bizarre or psychotic thoughts, feelings and behaviors