Addiction specialist: watch for signs of drug use in teens

PanARMENIAN.Net - Addiction specialist Lilit Margaryan, commenting on the spread of narcotics among teenagers, noted that adolescents often face challenges they cannot cope with alone, leading them to use drugs as a form of escape from reality. Her guidance on the risk factors and behavioral changes associated with drug use was published on the Ministry of Health's official Facebook page.

“If your teenager is using drugs, talk to them, explain the harm and dangers of substance use,” the post reads.

Key risk factors for drug use include:

• Mental health disorders
• Behavioral disorders
• Post-traumatic stress reactions
• Low self-esteem or feelings of rejection
• Desire to appear modern or trendy
• Rebelliousness or resistance to rules

It's especially important to observe any behavioral changes in teenagers, such as:

• Frequent mood swings without clear reasons
• Memory and attention issues, difficulty focusing
• Decline in academic performance
• Irritability, aggression, or confrontational behavior
• Persistent fatigue
• Daytime drowsiness and nighttime insomnia
• Social withdrawal, lack of interest in self-care, family, friends, or hobbies
• Replacing old friends with a suspicious new circle
• Frequent requests for money or unexplained spending
• Sharp increase in secretive phone calls

Physical signs may include:

• Noticeable paleness or redness of skin and mucous membranes
• Dilated or constricted pupils, red eyes
• Anxious or frozen facial expressions
• Slow or rapid, disjointed speech
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Prolonged coughing
• Lack of coordination in movement

Drug use affects the entire body, including:

• The nervous system—leading to cognitive decline, dementia, and severe psychiatric disorders
• The cardiovascular system—causing sudden spikes in blood pressure and heart rhythm disorders
• The digestive system—resulting in stomach and intestinal issues
• The reproductive and sexual systems—due to hormonal imbalance