The last thing we want for our children is to experience the violation of privacy that comes with having their personal belongings searched. However, as parents, it is our responsibility to ensure our kids have safe childhood and teen years without drugs abuse. If you feel like your kid is abusing drugs, it is a warning sign to search!
Where do drug addicts hide their drugs? Your responsibility as a parent is to detect signs and symptoms of drug use and help your kids fight their addiction!
Signs of drug and alcohol use in teens.
People who commonly use drugs usually hide the following things:
- Glass, wood or plastic pipes, rolling papers, bongs, and all of the above in a homemade version (I worked with a parent who found a tube made out of a seashell and a straw.)
- Plastic bags, uncommon cleaning patterns
- Lighters and ashes
- New keepsake boxes
- Tobacco rolling paper
- Tinfoil, masking tape, and cardboard liners (people can use these items to make a homemade crack pipe.)
- Razor blades
- Small spoons (If they are being used for drugs, they may have burn marks on the bottoms.)
- Rolled up dollar bills, paper tubes, or short plastic straws
- Needles
- Syringes
- Eyedropper bottles
- Tourniquet
Physical signs of drug use:
Substance use disorders can manifest in many ways, including through changes physically and to one’s appearance, such as:
- Red eyes, pupils appear larger or smaller than usual
- Significant weight loss or gain
- Lack of proper grooming
- Unusual odors on breath, body, or clothing
Signs of hidden drug use in behavior:
Is your loved one behaving differently? Have you seen significant changes to his or her personality? Common signs of drug use include:
- Secretive and suspicious behavior regarding where he or she is going
- Barring family or friends from entering his or her room
- Drastic changes in friendships or relationships with family members
- Lying about activities and whereabouts
- Mood swings and extreme irritability
- Extreme hyperactivity or lethargy
- Paranoia
- Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination
Places to hide drugs in your house or how to search the room for drugs:
Teens can be very creative when it comes to hiding drugs. They can make a drug stash out of man different things. Common stash spots are:
- Mattresses: Teens may store items under the bed and bedding, or slits can be made in the mattress to keep things inside.
- Books: Thick books may have pages cut out of them to store drugs.
- Toys: Slits can be made in plush toys to hide baggies and vials.
- Desks: Feel around inside drawers, and be sure to check the backs and undersides. It’s also wise to unscrew pens and markers, as they can store drugs in emptied pens or highlighters and the hollow tube used for snorting.
- Wrappers and containers: Cans, packets of breath mints, and boxes of snacks can all hide drugs and paraphernalia.
- Vents and outlets: Any part of the house which can be easily unscrewed can make a handy hiding spot. The toilet tank and behind the toilet are also common locations.
- Art and posters: Some powders can be flattened and stored in picture frames or in small holes in the wall, which art or posters can cover.
- Clothing: Special compartments can be made in belt buckles. People can also easily hide drugs in deep pockets or interior pockets.
- Personal items: A makeup kit, private hygiene bag, or container of feminine hygiene products are ideal hiding spots because they have many compartments, and few people give them a second look.
- Cars: Cars have many potential stash spots, including glove compartments, trunks, rugs, and under or between the seats.
- Inside shoes, socks, toothbrush if electrical, any container (shampoo cream bottle), stash object.
- Alarm clock
- School supply
- Candy wrappers
- Game consoles
If you found any pills (even it’s in a Tylenol bottle, make sure all pills are the same and compare written stamp ), check the name, the color with the following link https://www.drugs.com/imprints.php or use compare found pills here https://www.dea.gov/media-gallery/drug-images to make sure name pill name and bottle is similar. Teens usually know how to hide drugs from parents, so be attentive.
Call Hathaway Recovery Center today CALL US NOW: (909) 971-3333
If you see the signs of a person using drugs or find something suspicious:
- Get all of your feelings out of the way before you confront your child. You must deal with this without your emotions!
- Be calm and level-headed when you speak to them. Speak to your kid in private.
- Do not react to the accusations of spying, sneaking, or prying into their personal life. They will be mad, hurt, guilty, defensive, upset, betrayed, and many other things. So let them express it all.
- Contact our treatment center to get support and find out more about treatment programs.
Work together with your LOVED ONE in this addiction treatment process. It helps if you are all moving in the same direction. You can make a difference to the mental health of your child!
Hathaway Recovery Luxury Treatment Center
Hathaway Recovery Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center
Email: [email protected]
1042 East Belmont Abbey Lane, Claremont, CA 91711
