children s health issues
Substance Use in Adolescents
Diagnosis of Substance Use in Adolescents
A doctor's evaluation, including routine screening and use of screening tools Sometimes a drug test There are behavioral and physical signs that a child may be using drugs, other substances, or both. Knowing the signs can help parents and caregivers determine whether their child should be seen by a health care professional. Some behavioral signs of possible drug or substance use: Erratic behavior Depression or mood swings, change in attitude Acting paranoid, irritable, or anxious Having difficulty staying on task or staying focused Stealing, lying Becoming secretive, locking bedroom door A change in friends Declining school performance Loss of interest in hobbies Acting aggressive or angry or irresponsibly Sleeping more or less than usual Missing school, sports, or work Some physical signs of possible drug or substance use: Poor hygiene/change in appearance Glazed, watery, or bloodshot eyes Pupils larger (dilated) or smaller (constricted) than usual Frequent nosebleeds or runny nose Sores in the mouth, on the lips, or both Puffy face Small(due to needle use) on arms or legs, wearing long sleeves (even in warm weather) Shaking hands or cold, sweaty palms Headaches Fidgeting Shakes or tremors Sudden weight loss Parents also should be concerned about possible drug or substance use if they find drugs or drug paraphernalia (such as vapes, pipes, syringes, and scales) among their child's possessions. During Preventive Health Care Visits in Adolescents , parents should expect their child’s doctor to screen their child for substance use by asking confidential questions about tobacco/ Drug tests (including at-home tests) may be a useful part of an assessment but have significant limitations. Results of a urine test may be negative in adolescents who use drugs if the drug has been cleared from the body before the test is done, if a drug not included on a standard testing panel has been used, or if the urine specimen has been contaminated. Sometimes, drug test results are positive in adolescents who have not used drugs (false-positive). Even a true-positive test does not indicate how often and how heavily a drug is used and thus cannot distinguish casual use from more serious problems. Given these limitations, a doctor with expertise in this area should determine whether a drug test is needed in a given situation. When parents maintain their child’s confidentiality, they make it easier for a doctor to obtain an accurate substance use history and form a trusting relationship with their child. 