- What are the negative effects of cannabis use in adolescence?
- Is there a level of cannabis consumption that is considered safe?
- At what point is cannabis use considered to be risky?
- Why has cannabis use become so widespread among young people?
- Does consuming alcohol lead to consuming more cannabis?
- Are there protective and preventative factors against cannabis use that depend on the family?
- If we suspect our son or daughter is smoking marijuana, how can we address the issue at home and what advice can we give them?
- What signs might indicate that our son or daughter has a problem with cannabis?
- Where can I get urine tests to find out if there has been cannabis use?
- Cannabis can be found in different products; are these safer than smoking?
- What can we do to prevent cannabis use in schools?
- What are the risks of cannabis use for mental health, both for occasional and continuous use?
- What is the relationship between smoking marijuana and the onset of psychosis?
- Are there any brief interventions we can do with 15-year-old adolescents transitioning from pediatrics to primary care medicine, to detect substance use and provide an initial approach?
- What materials and techniques can I use to address this topic as a primary care professional?
- How do you explain to a teenager with ADHD that they may be more prone to substance abuse than other people without ADHD?
- Is an ADHD diagnosis associated with early onset of substance use?
What signs might indicate that our son or daughter has a problem with cannabis?
Early detection of drug use is crucial. We know there are some indicators, some clues, that can guide us if we suspect our children are smoking marijuana. It's essential to maintain a broad, observant approach . Some signs are typical of adolescence, but if several occur simultaneously, we need to be vigilant.
Physical warning signs:
- Eye redness
- Dilated pupils.
- Dry mouth.
- Sweating.
Warning signs of behavior:
- Changes in behavior or habits in their daily activity.
- Loss of interest in activities that were previously enjoyed (hobbies, sports, etc.).
- Decreased school performance.
- Secrecy and changing friends.
- Affected mood (apathy, lack of initiative…).
- Family arguments (aggression, threats, nervousness...).
- Sudden mood swings.
- Failure to comply with schedules.
- Expenditure or receipt of money without apparent explanation.
- If he gets angry when talking about drugs.
- Changes in diet.
The vast majority of cannabis users stop using it by adolescence or only occasionally in adulthood. Only a small minority of adolescents progress to other habitual and problematic substance use.
When these signs are present, it is essential not to rush to conclusions and to try to establish bridges of dialogue with our son and daughter to understand the whole situation.
The two main predictors of psychoactive substance use and many other risky behaviors are academic failure and lack of integration into the school environment. Alfonso Ramírez de Arellano, psychologist.