Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Signs of a problem
• Part 2 of 3: Symptoms of Using Marijuana
• Part 3 of 3: Solving the problem
• Tips

A difficult period in a child's life is adolescence. Not only do teens face physiological and social problems, but they also try drugs like marijuana for the first time. If you think your child is using marijuana, find evidence, rather than blaming him unfoundedly. It is necessary to support the child by talking frankly with him.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Signs of a problem

1. 1 Assess the child's mood. Consider the cause of your concern. Does your child feel unwell? Does his mood change for no reason? Do you think he is scared? Perhaps this behavior is a consequence of the use of marijuana. Marijuana is a psychoactive substance that affects the functioning of the central nervous system and temporarily changes the way a person thinks and feels.
2. 2 Monitor your child's behavior. Marijuana use leads to cognitive impairment, which occurs more often the more the teenager smokes marijuana. If you suspect a child is using this drug, look for the following symptoms:
   • Slow response
   • Difficulty making decisions
   • Memory impairment
   • Blurred consciousness and inability to maintain a conversation
   • Paranoid thoughts, that is, an unreasonable fear of someone or something. This symptom is most pronounced in adolescents with a weak psyche.
3. 3 Understand the ways teenagers think. Remember that it is normal for teenagers to have sudden mood swings. While observing the behavior of a child, it may seem to you that it is not entirely rational, but do not forget that many physiological and emotional factors affect the mood of a teenager. Therefore, ask someone close to you to objectively assess your child's behavior or do it yourself based on previously collected information.
4. 4 Think about your relationship with your child. You are the main person in a teen's life, even if he or she doesn't think so. Remember that your relationship with your child has a decisive influence on his behavior. Therefore, try to objectively assess your relationship; perhaps there have been some changes in them lately. Your teen's behavior can be a reaction to events in your home.
5. 5 Know when to act. The behavior of most adolescents is irrational, but not all of their antics can be attributed to adolescence. Therefore, consider every aspect of your child's life, but try not to invade his personal space. If all indications are that the child is using marijuana, it's time to act. Also check your feelings because you know your child like no other. What does your intuition tell you? Even if you think your child is "dabbling" in drugs, it's best to back up your guess with facts by identifying the symptoms of marijuana use.

Part 2 of 3: Symptoms of Using Marijuana

1. 1 Redness of the eyes. If you suspect your teen is smoking marijuana, look for signs of marijuana use. The most noticeable symptom is eye redness. When marijuana is used, the whites of the eyes turn red or yellow-red due to the fact that the drug causes the capillaries in the eyeballs to dilate. What's more, the smoke from marijuana cigarettes irritates the eyes and causes them to turn red, but remember that red eyes can be caused by other causes as well. Therefore, do not rush to draw unambiguous conclusions - perhaps your child sits at the computer a lot (for example, he likes to play computer games), and spending a long time at the monitor causes reddening of the eyes.
   • Many believe that using marijuana leads to dilated pupils, but this is a disputed fact, so it is better to pay attention to redness of the eyes.
   • A sign of marijuana smoking may be the fact that a teenager has started using eye drops that reduce eye irritation (these drops also reduce eye redness).
2. 2 Drowsiness. Marijuana use makes the teen drowsy and less active. If your child sleeps a lot, is constantly lying on the bed or couch, playing video games all day, or just doing nothing, then he or she may be using marijuana. But remember that a long sleep is a natural need for a growing body, so sleepiness is not a sufficient indicator to determine the use of marijuana.
   • Although smoking marijuana makes you sleepy and relaxed, it negatively affects important cognitive functions such as memory, reaction speed and critical thinking, which are extremely dangerous in certain situations (such as driving).
3. 3 Silly behavior. When using marijuana, some teens behave rather stupidly. For example, they laugh at things that are not funny, or fool around in very serious situations. If this behavior is typical for your child, then it is possible that he uses drugs, although this is not the only possible reason for the stupid behavior of adolescents.
4. 4 Interest in certain films. If your child smokes marijuana, you can find out by looking at the movies he or she prefers to watch. The use of marijuana is evidenced by the interest in films that touch on the topic of drug addiction, for example, High and Confused and The Big Lebowski. Your child may just enjoy watching movies, but if he likes to re-watch them, then there are other signs of marijuana use.
5. 5 Changing social habits. Notice if your child's social habits have changed. Marijuana use can disrupt the natural sleep-wake cycle, which means that your teen sleeps during the day and is awake at night. Also, a change in the adolescent's social circle, visits to new places, and frequent absences testify to the addiction to drugs.
   • Don't blame a teenager for drug use just because he or she is sleeping during the day or hanging out with someone you don't like. There can be a number of reasons for this behavior.
6. 6 Finding the drug. If you find marijuana in a child's belongings, for example, during the wash, then this is very strong evidence that he or she is using this drug. Remember that drugs are very expensive, so a teenager can only store a very small amount of marijuana, which can be easily hidden in the house.
   • Marijuana is usually distributed as a green or brownish-green plant matter (very similar to oregano) with a characteristic strong odor.
   • Marijuana is often stored in small plastic bags, small plastic containers, or jars.
   • Look for the tools you need to use drugs.Pipes, hookahs, tissue paper, lighters and other accessories may indicate that your child is addicted to marijuana; these items are quite easy to find in the things (in the room) of the teenager.
   • If you smell marijuana, be sure your child has recently smoked it or is keeping it at home. The fact is that marijuana has a very specific and strong smell. Some people compare it to the smell of a skunk (only marijuana is not that smelly), others to a sugary smell.
   • The smoke from a marijuana cigarette resembles the smell of fresh tomatoes or smoldering tea leaves. Some people think that the smoke from a marijuana cigarette smells "sweeter" than the smoke from a regular tobacco cigarette. The scent of marijuana permeates clothes, hair and upholstery.
7. 7 Pay attention to your child's appetite. Excessive appetite ("zhor attacked") has long been associated with the use of marijuana, and recent scientific studies have shown that smoking marijuana leads not only to a sharp increase in appetite, but also to an aggravation of taste buds. Therefore, if you are faced with the fact that sometimes your child becomes insatiable, then perhaps he is addicted to marijuana.
   • Also, remember that smoking marijuana can lead to dry mouth, which is why the teen is forced to drink a lot of water or other drinks.
   • Keep in mind that increased appetite during adolescence is very common. The body of a teenager develops rapidly, so at this age the child consumes more calories (that is, eats a lot).

Part 3 of 3: Solving the problem

1. 1 Decide on a method to solve the problem. Using marijuana is illegal (in the vast majority of countries). Therefore, if you find that your child smokes marijuana, but was not detained for this by law enforcement agencies, then you are fully responsible for solving this problem. There is no one-size-fits-all way to combat drug use, but it is recommended that you start by talking to your teenager. You can also set reasonable rules for your children to follow.
   • Perhaps your child is just curious about what marijuana is. Your child's environment may be using or just talking about marijuana, and eventually the teen will be curious about what is being said.
   • Inform your teen that possession and use of marijuana is a criminal offense in most countries. Even in states where marijuana is legalized, teenagers are prohibited from using it, and adults are prohibited from distributing it to teenagers.
2. 2 Fight marijuana use without putting pressure on your child. Most likely, a teenager is not aware of the consequences of using marijuana, but he understands perfectly well that adults do not approve of it. Therefore, your child will become defensive or anxious and nervous if you claim to know that they are addicted to marijuana. The teenager may lie to you to hide his drug addiction. Talk to your child calmly and try to hear what he has to say to you. Your goal is not to intimidate the child, but to achieve mutual understanding.
3. 3 Explain to your teenager the harmful effects of using marijuana. Don't tell your child something like, "I forbid you to smoke marijuana!" Try to explain your decision and convey to him the negative effects of drugs on his body and social status. In this case, the teenager is more likely to agree with your prohibition, because you argue for it (unreasonable prohibitions are ineffective). For example, describe the following negative consequences associated with using marijuana during adolescence:
   • Low school performance, which will affect university admission
   • High likelihood of anxiety disorders
   • Impairment of memory and thinking skills
   • Increased risk of developing psychosis
   • Diseases of the respiratory tract and lungs (similar to those associated with tobacco smoking)
   • The risk of switching to other and more dangerous drugs.
4. 4 Explain the legal consequences of using marijuana. Irregular smoking of marijuana is unlikely to lead to serious health complications or problems in social life. But just one cannabis cigarette can cause serious trouble with law enforcement. Moreover, the punishment will increase if a teenager is detained for possession of large quantities of marijuana or for distributing it. Even if you are comfortable with the fact that your child is "indulging" in marijuana, explain to him the legal consequences of drug addiction.
   • In Russia, the possession, distribution and use of marijuana is illegal (except in cases of the use of marijuana as directed by a doctor). Driving while intoxicated is equivalent to driving while intoxicated.
   • In other countries, marijuana legislation varies greatly. For example, in California (USA), possession of a small amount of marijuana is considered a petty felony (a person will get off with a small fine or a short time in prison). On the other hand, in Arizona (USA), possession of not only marijuana, but also improvised means for its use is equated with a serious offense.
5. 5 Work with your child to develop a plan to combat marijuana addiction. As you talk to your child about his marijuana addiction, develop a family attitude toward drugs. Let your teen know that you are not angry about his curiosity about marijuana, but that you expect him to follow the plan and stick to the developed attitude towards drugs. Make sure your child is not afraid to come to you in the future if they have a drug problem.
   • Punish your child if he deliberately violated the established rules or tries to mislead you. Explain to your teen that you are not angry about their curiosity, but are extremely disappointed that they broke the rules.
   • Remember that a teenager is still a child in the growing up phase. If you have been able to develop a good relationship with your child, include him in the decision-making process. The teen will become more responsible (and not think about drugs) if you give him more responsibilities.

Tips

• Do not forget about responsibility for the fate of your child. If something bothers you, it's time to step in.
• If necessary, do not hesitate to ask for help. Does your child have a reliable uncle or a loving aunt? Ask one of them to talk to the teenager.