Keep an Eye Out for Health Issues

Drug and alcohol use can cause a number of effects on health, minor to major. Look for these symptoms in your teenager. If you spot some, don't be afraid to suggest a visit to your teen's doctor. Often a doctor can offer a medical perspective or an outside viewpoint on what's happening to your teen.

• Frequent nosebleeds

  Excessive nosebleeds could be a sign of snorted drugs, such as cocaine or meth.

• Runny nose, not caused by allergies or a cold
• Frequent sickness
• Sores, spots around mouth
• Queasy, nauseous
• Seizures

  If your child has a seizure but does not have epilepsy, you should be aware that it could have been caused by huffing inhalants.

• Vomiting
• Wetting lips or excessive thirst (known as "cotton mouth")

  Discounting average thirst, dry mouth and excessive thirst are signs that a person is smoking marijuana or taking Ecstasy.

• Sudden or dramatic weight loss or gain

  Heroin, cocaine, meth, amphetamines and prescription stimulants are all associated with severe weight loss, due to suppression of appetite.

• Skin abrasions/bruises
• Accidents or injuries

  If your teen can't or doesn't want to tell you how she got hurt, it may be that she had an accident while drunk, high or stoned.

• Depression
• Headaches
• Sweatiness

A CLOSER LOOK

Sores or spots around mouth

Many kids suffer from recurring cold sores, which stem from the herpes simplex virus. Although cold sores are very common, spots around your child's mouth could also indicate that she has been smoking marijuana.

And if your child has open sores not only around his mouth but on his face or body, there is a chance that he is abusing meth and picking at his skin (a behavioral side effect of using meth).

If spots around the mouth are accompanied by a chemical odor, paint stains on your teen's body or clothing, or a runny nose, your teen might be using inhalants.