The teenage years can be a time of great emotional stress as it marks the transition from childhood to adulthood. It is at this particular time when teenagers have to grapple with a number of issues like search for identity, peer pressure, amorous and family relationships, as well as scholastic performance. These may be overwhelming to some teenagers as they undergo this critical stage in their lives.

For those who can’t adjust and handle the pressure, the use of illicit drugs becomes an enticing option to cope with, alleviate or escape from the issues that beset them. This is one of the primary reasons why quite a large percentage of teenagers resort to drug abuse. Teen drug abuse has now become a common and prevalent problem in modern society. In fact, drug abuse is currently the foremost concern among parents as cited in the National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse.

Parents can't possibly monitor their teens 24/7 without invading their privacy, and they can't physically be present at all times, particularly in today’s fast paced world. So what exactly are the signs that parents should look for to keep their teens away from prohibited drugs?

The first thing to thing to look out for is the teen’s behavior. In general, a teenager will manifest behavior patterns quite different from his normal behavior prior to addiction. Parents should also be skeptical once their teenager starts to behave aberrantly and becomes withdrawn or aloof to other members of the family. They may also exhibit irritability, paranoia and violent behavior. However, such changes may not be drastic, but are the most obvious signs of drug abuse. Drug abuse has far-reaching effects on the user's mood and performance. A teenage drug user will most likely suffer from long-term psychological effects from drugs that modify their mindset as well. As a consequence, a teenager can have degrading performance in school or in the workplace.

On the other hand, there are also physical signs of teen drug abuse that parents should be on the lookout for. Among the red light warning signs of the effects of teen drug abuse are blood-shot eyes, nagging cough, lethargy, irregularities in eating and sleeping habits, constantly tired or hyperactive, sudden weight loss or weight gain, teeth clenching and muscle tension, convulsions, dehydration, and consequently, death.

Teen drug abuse may start as a phase of experimentation in a teenager's life, in their effort to adapt and resolve certain issues that typically highlight this crucial stage in their lives. Nevertheless, it could also spiral out of control and lead to serious and severe drug addiction that may even persist up to adulthood. This can be very debilitating and difficult to resolve. Teen drug abuse, when addressed during the initial stages can be rectified and lead to a better quality of life not only as a teenager, but ultimately as an adult as well.