Teens love to party. For some, the ability to listen to their favorite music while being with friends is enough. Yet, for others, party drug use is prevalent. However, party drugs such as Molly or cocaine can damage young people’s lives. Our teen drug abuse treatment program will support your loved one’s development through the recovery process. The National Institute on Drug Abuse found that the number of high school seniors abusing drugs dropped by four percent. Although this is significant, there is still work to be done. If you suspect that the young adult in your life is using drugs at parties, it is time to get help.
Signs of Party Drug Use in Teens
When your teen begins using party drugs, you might not readily notice the signs. However, when their use of party drugs becomes routine, you will start to recognize serious changes in your teen’s physical health, appearance, emotional state, and ability to maintain relationships. Here are several indications that your teen is participating in abusing party drugs:
- Requesting money from family and friends with very little explanation or a clear lie
- Becoming secretive about their whereabouts
- Appearing physically unhealthy such as extreme weight loss and skin problems
- Distancing themselves from friends and family while developing a new group of friends who abuse drugs
- Academic performance decreases with increased absenteeism in school
- Not motivated to pursue interests; difficulty concentrating
- Participating in reckless behaviors such as having unprotected sex, driving under the influence, and committing crimes
- Appearing depressed and anxious
- Experiencing extreme mood swings along with feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness
- Expressing suicidal thoughts
- Sleep problems such as sleeping with great regularity during the day and experiencing insomnia at night
- Obvious withdrawal symptoms are present when not abusing party drugs.
These behaviors are clear signs that a teen is using drugs while partying. And in some cases, they are also signs that a teen is going to have a substance use disorder and needs treatment.
Common Party Drugs and Their Effects on Teen Users
There are several party drugs available to teens who are partying. These drugs are dangerous because of their psychological and physical impact on teens. The use of drugs comes with the risk of an overdose–especially when used with alcohol or other drugs. Here are five popular types of substances associated with party drug use:
- Hallucinogens such as acid (also known as LSD), magic mushrooms, peyote, PCP (also known as angel dust), and ketamine (Vitamin K). These drugs will distort young people’s perception of reality. They will experience hallucinations that can be auditory, sensory, or visual.
- MDMA/Ecstasy is a synthetic drug that is a stimulant and hallucinogen. Also called Molly, X, or MDMA, it is a popular drug at parties. MDMA insights feelings of euphoria and creates a distorted sense of time in users.
- Inhalants are products containing chemical vapors. Inhalants can be found in the household cleaning cabinet, industrial cleaning, or medical products. Teens refer to inhalants as rush drugs because they can produce a short-term high.
- Central Nervous System Depressants make users feel relaxed and tired. Also referred to as date rape drugs, these drugs make victims sleepy.
- Stimulants such as cocaine or methamphetamine and prescription drugs including Adderall and Ritalin are common for party drug use. These drugs increase a teen’s focus and heighten their energy. As a result, they are filled with activity.
Get Support With Teen Drug Abuse Treatment at Destinations for Teens
If your teen is using drugs–whether at parties or home–they are in danger and are crying out for help. It’s your job to support and guide them through these challenging moments. At Destinations for Teens, our substance abuse treatment programs will help your teen learn coping mechanisms necessary to live life sober. Contact us [direct] for more information.