What behaviors put your teenager at risk?

There are many underlying behaviors that lead to substance abuse. Here are some behaviors that are warning signs that your teenager's behaviors are putting them at risk.There are many underlying behaviors that lead to substance abuse. Here are some behaviors that are warning signs that your teenager's behaviors are putting them at risk.

Self Medication Using drugs, alcohol or other substances tend to be a self-medication strategy that temporarily helps the teenager feel better about themselves or their circumstances, but also puts the teenager at significant risk.

Depression and Isolation If your teenager seeks to spend significant time alone, is sleeping excessively, has isolated themselves from their friends and family, this could be an indication of depression.

Self Harm Talking about or attempting suicide, cutting, or other actions that are designed to inflict self harm must be taken seriously and dealt with quickly.

Anger and Opposition Frequent outbursts at home, refusing to follow rules, angry shouting matches when asked simple questions indicate an inability to understand and control emotions or underlying frustrations.

Poor School Performance A dramatic change in grades, inability to manage the school workload and a lack of willingness to follow the school guidelines may indicate underlying learning issues or other negative behavioral problems.

Poor Social Skills Difficulty maintaining friendships or relying on negative relationships may indicate underdeveloped social skills or processing problems that make it difficult to appropriately read people and manage a normal social life.