As
parents and caregivers, you probably don’t think about the ways in
which marijuana is linked to mental health problems … but it is. New
research is giving us better insight into the serious consequences of
teen marijuana use, especially how it impacts mental health.
Your immediate question may be, “How can I tell if my son or daughter is experiencing mental health problems due to marijuana use?” It
is often difficult for parents to know the difference between emerging
mental health problems and typical teen mood swings or shifts in
attitudes. It is normal to see temper outbursts, changes in sleeping
habits and changes in hobbies in your teen. However, there are a number
of ways to assess whether or not your child is having psychological
problems related to marijuana use.
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Be attentive. You can look for signs of depression, withdrawal, carelessness with their grooming habits, or hostility.
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Drop in grades.
Ask yourself: Is your child no longer doing well in school, getting
along with friends, taking part in sports or other activities? If there
have been marked changes in your teen’s activities, it’s time for YOU to do some more homework.
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Look for evidence. Have you found drug paraphernalia such as pipes,
rolling papers, and so on? Are you missing prescription
drugs—especially narcotics and mood stabilizers; and bottles of eye
drops, which mask bloodshot eyes?
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Encourage other parents to subscribe to this newsletter. Anyone can join the list by visiting TheAntiDrug.com and entering an
e-mail address on the home page.
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e-mail notifications with parenting tips and strategies you can use to ensure that your child
remains healthy and drug-free. Remember, when it comes to keeping kids drug-free,
YOU MATTER.
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