A substance use disorder can have emotional, physical and behavioural symptoms. When reviewing the symptoms below, keep in mind that substance use may be just one of many possible causes.
The signs and symptoms below may suggest other problems in addition to substance use, so it is important to see a health-care provider—such as a primary care doctor, pediatrician or nurse practitioner—for an additional assessment and further help if needed.
Emotional symptoms of substance use disorder in teens
When someone has a substance use disorder, they may experience:
- unexplained mood swings
- sadness or depression
- anxiety.
Physical signs and symptoms of substance use disorder in teens
Possible physical signs of a substance use disorder include frequent episodes of:
- bloodshot (red) eyes
- a lasting cough or nasal stuffiness
- lasting or persistent tiredness
- obvious weight loss or gain
- sleep difficulties.
Behavioural symptoms of substance use disorder in teens
If your teen has a substance use disorder, you may notice the following changes in their behaviour at home, with friends or at school.
At home or with friends
Some behavioural changes to watch for include:
- showering less and/or losing interest in other forms of self-care
- withdrawing from usual family activities
- coming home late
- not telling you or other family members where they are going
- stealing money or valuable items (to pay for drugs or alcohol)
- getting into trouble with the law
- change in friend groups (although this may also occur naturally during the teen years).
At school
At school, behavioural signs of a substance use disorder may include:
- a drop in grades or school performance
- missing or skipping school
- falling asleep in class
- not doing homework
- dropping out of sports or other extracurricular activities
- forgetting things or not being able to concentrate.
How a substance use disorder is diagnosed
Your teen will be assessed by a health-care provider to decide if a diagnosis of substance use disorder is appropriate.
The health-care provider will collect information from you and/or your teen at a medical appointment. They may ask your teen to fill in some screening questionnaires that can identify someone who is using substances in a problematic way. They may also do a physical exam to look for physical signs of the effects of alcohol or substance use.
Your teen has a right to confidential health care whether they meet their health-care provider as part of a visit with you or in a separate appointment on their own. The health-care provider must share information about your teen if there are immediate concerns for your teen's safety (such as a risk of suicide or homicide or if someone under 16 years of age is experiencing abuse).
Depending on the substances your teen is using (or if they identify any other risky health behaviours) the health-care provider may also suggest blood or other tests.
How do health-care providers work with teens who have substance use disorders?
Depending on the assessment, a health-care provider will work with your teen to engage them in identifying what might be helpful for them, and to assist them with a plan.
One option for a teen with substance use is to see a counsellor. They may use different approaches, including motivational interviewing, to support your teen and help them identify areas where they might want to make some changes to their behaviour and make connections between their thoughts, emotions and behaviours.
Other, more intensive, treatments for youth with substance use disorders include:
- day treatment, where a teen attends a group-based program during the week to get treatment and obtain school credits
- bed-based (live-in) treatment, where a teen lives at a treatment centre and receives support and schooling every day
- in-patient hospitalization that may be required if there is an acute health concern that requires more immediate monitoring and treatment (for example, medical care for withdrawal from substances).
These different treatments often include some kind of family and/or parent treatment and support. In most provinces in Canada, treatment programs require a teen to agree to take part. Some provinces have laws that permit parents to make this decision in specific instances.