Recognising Substance Abuse in Children

For many, the idea of a child or teenager struggling with substance addiction feels unimaginable. Addiction is often seen as an adult issue, making it even harder to accept when it affects young people. But the reality is that children and teens can develop addictions for many reasons, sometimes due to circumstances entirely beyond their control.

Recognising the signs early can make all the difference, which is why this guide explores the key indicators of substance abuse in young people and the steps you can take to support them.

How can a child or teen become addicted to substances?

Understanding how this can happen is important, not to place blame but to help families recognise when a young person may need support.

Born with an addiction

In some cases, a child is born already dependent on a substance. If a mother uses drugs during pregnancy, the baby may develop neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), meaning they experience withdrawal symptoms at birth. This can happen with opioids, alcohol or other substances that pass through the placenta. These babies often require medical treatment in their early days, but the effects can last much longer, increasing the risk of substance use later in life.

Experimenting without realising the risks

Teenagers are naturally curious, and sometimes that curiosity leads them to experiment with substances. They may not intend to develop a habit, but certain drugs can quickly lead to dependence. For many young people, addiction isn’t something they expect to happen. They may think they can control their use, only to find themselves relying on the substance more and more.

Peer pressure and social influence

Friends and social circles play a huge role in a child’s development, and in some cases, that influence can lead them toward substance use. Many teens feel pressured to fit in, especially if their friends are experimenting with drugs or alcohol. This pressure can be subtle, like feeling left out when others are drinking or more direct, like being offered something at a party. Over time, what starts as a way to ‘go along with the group’ can turn into a habit that’s hard to break.

Using substances to cope with stress or trauma

Not all addictions start with social influences. Some young people turn to substances as a way to cope with difficult emotions or traumatic experiences. Whether it’s bullying, family issues, mental health struggles or past trauma, drugs and alcohol can become an escape. At first, it might seem like a way to numb the pain, but over time, this coping mechanism can lead to full-blown addiction.

How can I recognise substance abuse in my child?

Spotting substance abuse in a child or teenager isn’t always straightforward. It doesn’t always look like the dramatic scenes from films, and many signs are subtle at first, which makes it easily mistaken for typical teenage behaviour. But when these behaviours start adding up, they can point to something more concerning.

1. The classic signs of substance abuse

You start noticing small but concerning changes in your child’s appearance and behaviour. Their eyes look red or glazed over, and their pupils seem unusually large or small. Their appetite has changed drastically. Sometimes, they barely eat; other times, they are raiding the fridge at odd hours. They have unexplained marks on their arms, frequent nosebleeds or a persistent cough that does not seem to go away. Their speech patterns shift too, sometimes slurring their words or talking too fast. You ask if they are okay, but they brush it off, saying they are just tired or feeling under the weather.

Possible signs: Bloodshot eyes, unusual pupil size, weight loss or gain, frequent nosebleeds, persistent cough, slurred or rapid speech, shaky hands, unsteady movements, unusual changes in appetite.

2. The bedroom door that’s always locked

You knock on your child’s bedroom door, but there’s no answer. When you try to open it, it’s locked…again. This is new. They used to keep their door open, even slightly. When they finally answer, they look irritated, barely making eye contact. Their room smells strange, but when you ask, they dismiss it: ‘I just lit a candle, relax.’ You notice they’ve been using a lot of air fresheners lately and keeping the window open, even in the cold.

Possible signs: Increased secrecy, keeping their bedroom locked, unusual smells, using air fresheners or incense to mask odours, avoiding eye contact, defensive or dismissive reactions

when asked questions.

3. The sudden change in friends

Your child used to talk about their friends all the time, and you even knew a few of their names. Lately, that’s changed. They’ve stopped mentioning the friends they used to be inseparable with. When you ask why, they shrug and say, ‘We don’t talk anymore.’ You start noticing them hanging around with a new group of kids you’ve never seen before. Something feels off. When you ask about them, you get vague answers or an annoyed response: ‘Why do you care?’.

Possible signs: Dropping long-time friends for a new group, avoiding talking about new friends, hanging out with older peers, becoming more secretive about social activities, spending less time at home.

4. The mood swings that don’t make sense

Your child has always had their ups and downs, but lately, their emotions seem unpredictable. One moment, they’re quiet and withdrawn, barely speaking to anyone. Next, they’re snapping over something small, like asking them to take out the rubbish. Their energy levels don’t add up, either. Some days, they’re exhausted and sleeping too much; other times, they seem restless, fidgety, and unable to sit still. You chalk it up to teenage hormones, but it feels different.

Possible signs: Extreme mood swings, outbursts of anger or frustration over small things, sudden sadness or withdrawal, unusual levels of energy (either too high or too low), unexplained irritability.

5. The slipping grades and lost interest

Your child used to care about school, not necessarily an overachiever, but they put in the effort. Now, it’s a different story. Their grades have dropped significantly, and they don’t seem to care. Homework isn’t getting done, teachers are reaching out about missed assignments, and you’re hearing more about skipped classes. Even outside of school, they’ve lost interest in things they used to enjoy. The sport they loved? They quit. The hobby they were passionate about? Haven’t touched it in months. Any attempts to talk about it are met with a sigh and an eye roll.

Possible signs: Declining school performance, skipping classes, not turning in assignments, loss of interest in hobbies or activities they used to love, lack of motivation.

When is it substance abuse, and when is it just being a teen?

Teenagers go through a lot of changes, and not all concerning behaviours are linked to substance abuse. Many signs, like secrecy, mood swings or changing social circles, can just be a natural part of growing up. The key is to look at patterns and context.

For example, secrecy is common in teens as they seek independence. Wanting more privacy, locking their bedroom door or not sharing everything with parents does not automatically mean substance use. It could just mean they want space. Similarly, mood swings are expected due to hormonal changes and stress, especially if they are dealing with school pressure or friendships.

Even changes in friend groups do not always signal a problem. Teens naturally outgrow friendships, and finding new social circles is part of self-discovery. Likewise, a drop in grades could be due to struggling with a subject or feeling unmotivated rather than substance use.

The key difference is consistency and severity. If these behaviours are accompanied by other warning signs, such as physical symptoms or extreme personality shifts, it may be time to take a closer look. Trust your instincts, keep communication open and do not jump to conclusions too quickly.

If any of this feels familiar, reach out for support

If you recognise any of these addiction symptoms in your child or if you are experiencing other situations that make you worry about drug addiction or alcohol addiction, it is important to seek help. You do not have to face this alone as a parent or guardian. There are people who understand what you are going through and can offer the right guidance.

While Recovery Lighthouse does not provide addiction treatment for those under 18, we can offer guidance on the next steps, including referrals to our alternative clinics that do. Whether you need help finding appropriate rehab options, advice on staging an intervention, or simply someone to talk to, we are here to help.

Do not wait until things get worse. Addiction recovery is possible with the right support, and taking action now can make all the difference. Reach out to us today, and let’s take the first step together.