Content

• Steps
• Advice

Puberty is a time of confusion and hardship. In addition to facing physical, social and academic pressures, during this period some teenagers were also exposed to a banned substance such as marijuana for the first time. If you think your child may be smoking marijuana against your will, look for evidence instead of "unjustly" accusations. On top of that, you need to talk with your children frankly and show a supportive attitude towards your children.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Look for suspicious signs

1. 

   Consider your child's mood. Think about why you are worried about your baby. Does the child have something different? Does the child have a sudden change in mood? Does your child have a fearful attitude for unknown reasons? These may be signs that the child uses marijuana. Cannabis is a psycho and behavioral agent; it interacts with the user's brain, temporarily altering their thoughts and feelings.

2. 

   
   
   Watch for changes in your behavior. Smoking cannabis can lead to cognitive decline when people are "high" and the decrease will increase with the amount of cannabis used. If you suspect your child is “high on drugs,” watch for the following psychiatric symptoms:
   • Reaction more slowly
   • Decreased ability to make decisions
   • Poor memory
   • Often absentminded or unable to follow up a conversation
   • Delusional or unreasonable beliefs that you are in danger. This symptom is more common in people with pre-existing psychiatric problems or pre-existing qualities.

3. 

   
   
   Understand the teen's brain. It is okay to worry about your teenage baby, but it's natural for a minor to suddenly change mood. Sometimes watching a teen's mood is like riding a roller coaster! It is important to remember that puberty is undergoing many changes, both physically and psychologically. Some changes in behavior and mood are typical. Try to research or ask close friends to learn more about your teen's actions.

4. 

   
   
   Evaluate the relationship between you and your child. Although your child is not always aware, you are one of the most important people in his or her life. Relationships with parents sometimes play a huge role in the behavior of children. Try to step back and think objectively about your relationship with your baby. Has any change happened recently? Is it possible that your child is behaving strangely in response to something happening in the family?

5. 

   Know when to worry. Children at this age often behave confusing, but not all of these behaviors are attributed to puberty confusion. Pay close attention to every aspect of your child's life while respecting their growing boundaries and independence. If all the signs indicate the possibility of the child using drugs, then perhaps this is the time to worry. Also, rely on your intuition. You are the one who understands your child best. What intuition tell you? Even if you think your child can't do anything wrong, you need to think realistically and watch for signs. advertisement

Part 2 of 3: Determining marijuana use

1. 

   Look for red-eye signs. If you really think your child is smoking marijuana, now is the time to be actively looking for the signs. Red eyes are the most obvious side effect of smoking marijuana. Cannabis sometimes causes the whites of the eyes to turn red or yellowish reddish. This is because cannabis can dilate the capillaries in the eye. Cannabis can irritate the eyes and cause redness; however, the eye may become red without smoking marijuana. Remember not to rush into conclusions. Did your child stay up late at night studying (or playing games) the night before? That also easily causes red eyes.
   • Note that cannabis can also dilate the pupils in the eye (enlargement) although as with red eyes, this remains controversial.
   • Anti-irritant eye drops (such as Visine, etc.) can also be an indirect sign of marijuana use, as these are often used to reduce red eyes.

2. 

   Pay attention to sleepiness. Marijuana use can cause drowsiness, leading to reduced activity levels. If you suspect that your child smokes marijuana, pay attention to the amount of time your baby sleeps during the day, lying on the couch, playing games all day. And generally not interested in doing "anything". Remember, however, that that's not the only reason your teen seems to need a lot of sleep; Many children of this age have a higher sleep requirement than most adults.
   • Although the drowsiness and relaxation effects of cannabis may seem interesting, it also impaired important cognitive functions such as memory, reaction rate, and critical thinking, making marijuana use worse. dangerous in situations that require high concentration (like driving).

3. 

   
   
   Observe "goofy" behavior. People who are "high" when smoking marijuana often behave more dumb than usual. Marijuana smokers, for example, often giggle uncontrollably at things that are not so funny. Some people cannot be serious in demanding situations. If your child seems unable to control silly behaviors, it may be because of marijuana. However, like many other manifestations of marijuana use, that is certainly not the only cause.

4. 

   
   
   Note the movies your child chooses. If your child is starting to practice smoking marijuana, you may find clues based on his or her entertainment options. Movies contain scenes of drug use that can arouse teenagers' interest in smoking marijuana. Some films can be mentioned as "Confusion and Shock", "Friday", "Count Lebowski". It's entirely possible that this type of movie is a hobby for your child, but if you notice your child is watching over and over again, perhaps you should pay attention to other signs of drug use.

5. 

   
   
   Pay attention to your child's social habits. You need to observe the change in the pattern of the child's departure and return. Regular use of marijuana can disrupt sleep patterns, causing your child to sleep a lot during the day and stay awake at night. If your child is smoking marijuana, you may notice other changes in their behavior such as hanging out with different friends, going to different places, going out at unusual times, etc.
   • However, it is important not to accuse your child of smoking marijuana based solely on your child's unusual time and play with friends without your permission. There can be many reasons for such behaviors.

6. 

   Find obvious evidence. Find the very drug. For example, when washing clothes, if you find your child hiding cannabis, that's clear evidence that your child is using it. Drugs are often expensive and a child uses only a small amount at a time so the child can easily hide them in the small slots.
   • Cannabis is usually in the form of green or greenish brown clusters, resembling oregano leaves, with a very strong and characteristic odor.
   • Cannabis is often stored in small plastic bags, plastic medicine containers, small bottles or other multipurpose containers.
   • Find miscellaneous items for medicinal use. Tools such as pipe tobacco, blender, glass cigarette, roll paper tubes, tongs, lighters and others are obvious signs of marijuana use and are often the strongest evidence.
   • Find the characteristic smell of cannabis. If you smell cannabis or the smoke of cannabis smoke, you can be sure it's nearby (or just there). Cannabis has a very strong and characteristic odor. Fresh cannabis has a foul odor, sometimes described as a skunk, albeit milder smell. To some people, cannabis smells like trash in the yard.
   • Cannabis smoke has an "herbal" odor, often described as resembling the scent of fresh tomatoes and burnt tea leaves, sometimes said to have a "sweeter" smell than cigarette smoke. The smell of smoke often infects clothes, hair and upholstery.

7. 

   
   
   Observe your child's eating habits. Cases of "snacking all day" or increased appetite have long been associated with cannabis use, but research in recent years has shown that marijuana use increases appetite. and the pleasant taste of the food. Therefore, if your child is "lip-syncing", it could be that he or she is drugged.
   • Note that marijuana sometimes dries out the mouth and throat, causing the user to drink plenty of water or other beverages.
   • However, don't forget that it is normal to have a good appetite during puberty. The rapid growth of the body during this period causes the child to eat more.
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Part 3 of 3: Troubleshooting

1. 

   
   
   Decide how to proceed. Adolescent marijuana use is illegal in the United States. If you find that your child smokes marijuana and has not been caught by the authorities, then it is your responsibility to decide how to handle the situation. There is no one correct answer, but you can start by talking about what to do. You can set the rules for your child that you find appropriate.
   • Understand that your child may be curious about cannabis. As a teen, your child's friends or classmates may begin to use and talk about marijuana, so your child may develop a natural urge to find out about those “hot” stories. what.
   • Explain that no matter what people think, it is illegal to possess and / or use marijuana. In the US, even in states where cannabis is considered legal, minors are not allowed to possess or consume it, and adults are not allowed to let children use it.

2. 

   
   
   Confront your child but do not judge. Even if your child doesn't fully understand the dangers of using marijuana, they may well understand that smoking marijuana is something many adults consider bad. So your child may be anxious, agitated or alert when you confront him with evidence of marijuana use. Children even lie at first to cover up their behavior. You need to calmly talk to your child about your point of view, and at the same time keep an open mind and listen to them. Your goal is to gain understanding between you and your child, not to make them fear.

3. 

   Explain the personal dangers of marijuana use. Instead of banning smoking on the spot because "parents say they have to listen", act more wisely, prove your decision to be correct by explaining the harm to your child when smoking marijuana. . This will help make your decision more relevant; It will be difficult for a child to respect or support a parent who forbids a child from using marijuana without reason. For example, you can focus on the real risks associated with regular marijuana use in teenagers, including:
   • The dropout rate is higher
   • The incidence of social disorders and anxiety is higher
   • Loss of memory and thinking skills
   • The rate of psychosis increased
   • Increased breathing / lung problems (similar to smoking)
   • There are other possibilities of using other banned substances.

4. 

   Explain the legal dangers of using marijuana. Maybe the occasional little use of marijuana also doesn't lead to personal problems or health problems. However, depending on where you live, even a small dose of cannabis can put your child in trouble with the law. Furthermore, cannabis-related penalties will often be exacerbated if your child is caught stockpiling large quantities or selling cannabis to someone else. Whether or not you intend to tolerate your child's marijuana use, make sure your child understands the law regarding this.
   • In the US, it is illegal for teenagers to use marijuana for entertainment in all states, and adults using marijuana are also illegal in all states, except Washington and Colorado. Drunken drunkenness is treated like drunkenness while driving.
   • In addition to Washington and Colorado, the laws of each state on marijuana use vary widely. For example, in California, possession of marijuana for personal use is considered a misdemeanor and is fined and / or imprisoned for a short period of time. However, in neighboring Arizona, possession of cannabis for personal use is considered a crime with a heavier penalty, including possession of marijuana smoking equipment.

5. 

   Make a plan with your child. If this is your first time talking to your child about marijuana use, take this opportunity to set up a family rule. Emphasize that you are not angry with your child because of initial curiosity, but that you want them to abide by the rules from now on. Make sure your child understands that they can still turn to you in the future if they have any questions about marijuana without fear.
   • If your child intentionally violates the family rules or lied, you can take a penalty. Explain to your child that you are not angry at their curiosity but that they let you down by violating clearly defined rules.
   • Remember that even though the minor is still a child, they will soon become adults. Try to encourage your child to participate in the decision-making process if it is easy for them to talk to you. Children will sometimes behave responsibly if given more responsibility.
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Advice

• Remember that you are responsible for your child's life. If you are worried, now is the time to intervene.
• Don't be afraid to ask for outside support. Does your child have an aunt or uncle he loves and trusts? Ask them to help you talk to your child.
• Seek professional help if needed. It is also normal that you do not know for sure.