Photo by Kindel Media
Article courtesy of Rehab Today
Would you notice if your teen changed? Not something big – just the little things. They’re in their room more, and the conversations that used to flow now fall flat. According to Perry Clayman, managing director and founder of Rehab Today, parents often feel the change before they actually see any signs.
“Teens won’t usually admit they’re trying drugs, and at their age, curiosity and experimentation are natural. If it’s just that – experimentation – you’ll probably never even know it,” he says. “The issue is when it turns into a habit or a coping mechanism – that’s when you’ll start to notice something’s off.”
Clayman has spent decades helping families through addiction and shares the early signs that parents should keep an eye out for:
1. They’re not themselves lately
Every teenager has their moods. But sometimes the shift feels sharper – different. They’re suddenly defensive, or quieter than usual.
“When a laid-back teen starts snapping, or one who’s usually chatty goes silent, listen to that gut feeling,” Clayman says. “You don’t need to panic. Just notice what feels out of character.”
It can be easy to brush off changes as ‘just teenage stuff’. But if that new mood lingers for weeks and you can’t quite place why, that’s when it’s time to ask – gently – what’s really going on.