Fentanyl use is a growing concern for parents, especially since the drug is one of the leading causes of overdose deaths in adolescents. But how can you tell if your teen is struggling with an addiction? As it turns out, there are actually telltale signs of fentanyl use that you can watch for. Continue on for those signs, as well as what you can do for your teen if they have an addiction.
Physical Symptoms of Fentanyl Use
According to teen addiction experts like Clearfork Academy, miosis—constricted pupils—is one of the most recognizable symptoms of fentanyl use. That means that individuals who use the drug will have small, pinpoint-sized pupils even in low-light conditions. If you suspect your teen is addicted to fentanyl, try checking their eyes first; aside from small pupils, teens under the influence of the drug may have a glassy or unfocused gaze and struggle to track movement.
Another symptom is unexplained fatigue. Because fentanyl is a central nervous system depressant, it can have a sedative effect on the user. Teens on the drug may be abnormally tired and may drift in and out of consciousness mid-conversation, at the dinner table, while watching TV, etc.
Higher concentrations in the bloodstream can lead to more severe symptoms, like labored, irregular breathing and a bluish tinge around the lips or fingernails—these are extremely urgent signs that the individual is not getting enough oxygen.
But that’s not all. Fentanyl use can also spur extreme mood swings, as it produces an intense rush of dopamine that, upon subsiding, leaves the brain in a state of chemical deficit. These mood changes are abnormally intense and have no identifiable triggers—that’s how you can distinguish them from mood swings that are more typical of hormonal changes in a teenager’s body.
Finally, watch out for any signs you’d expect from a teen engaged in substance use. Things like social withdrawal, declining grades, or a sudden need for money aren’t specific to fentanyl, but they still signal that something is going on.
What to Do If Your Teen Is Using Fentanyl
So, what do you do if you discover that your teen is using fentanyl? While your first instinct may be to impose consequences, this approach may actually cause the teen to close themselves off.
Instead, experts say it’s better to take an empathetic approach that highlights your concern, as this will potentially make your teen more open to receiving aid. Make it clear that all you want to do is help them, and that no matter what they say, they won’t be punished.
Recovery Programs for Teens
For the best chance of recovery from a fentanyl addiction, you should consider sending your teen to a rehab program specialized for youths. These programs will include a medically supervised detox to manage cravings and therapies that address the addiction and any underlying mental illnesses, improving the chances of long-term abstinence.
Most importantly, stay supportive throughout treatment. If your child knows you won’t judge them and that you’ve created a safe space for them, they are more likely to recover completely.
Clearfork Academy
info@clearforkacademy.com
+1-888-430-5149
7820 Hanger Cutoff Road
Fort Worth
TX
76135
United States
