It’s difficult to fathom that your teenager or young adult child might be drinking alcohol underage, or doing illegal drugs, but the numbers reveal the shocking truth.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse collects data about substance use behaviors among young people each year. In 2022, reports indicate that 11% of 8th graders, 21.5% of 10th graders, and 32.6% of 12th graders self-reported illicit drug use. The survey found that adolescents most commonly reported the use of alcohol, nicotine vaping, and cannabis.
Drug Use Risks
The growing concern is not only about your child using drugs and the dangers associated with usage and addiction. There are news headlines every day discussing the deadly effects of fentanyl. In fact, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, drug traffickers are purposely targeting kids and young adults with brightly colored rainbow fentanyl.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. The DEA says just two milligrams of fentanyl, which is equal to 10 to 15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose.
Fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing this country. According to the CDC, 107,622 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2021, with 66% of those deaths related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Drug poisonings are the leading killer of Americans between the ages of 18 and 45.
3 Things You Can Do to Help Your Child
It’s a serious issue, and as a parent, you need answers. Understand that some kids will be more prone to substance abuse than others.
- The Mayo Clinic suggests becoming aware of these common risk factors:
- A family history of substance abuse
- A mental or behavioral health condition (i.e., depression, anxiety)
- Impulsive or risk-taking behavior
- A history of traumatic events
- Low self-esteem or feelings of social rejection
2. Your next step is prevention. The Mayo Clinic advises parents to take these measures:
- Know your teen’s activities
- Pay attention to your teen’s whereabouts
- Establish rules and consequences
- Know your teen’s friends
- Keep track of prescription drugs
- Provide support
- Set a good example.
3. Trust but verify with Any Lab Test Now®
Take Action
Have a conversation with your child about the dangers of drugs and your concerns if they are showing unusual behavior. For your peace of mind, Any Lab Test Now® is a lab testing resource at your disposal, providing answers to your concerns. If you suspect your child may be using drugs, having your child drug tested may be a frightening reality, but it’s important for their health and safety. At Any Lab Test Now®, we understand that you may not know how to ask your teen to get drug tested because it may push them farther away, but we have several lab drug screening tests in a variety of forms to help. Our “Trust But Verify” random teen drug-testing program gives you information about drug trends as well as signs and symptoms of drug use. Consider these tests:
- 10 PANEL DRUG TEST (HAIR) – Using a sample of your child’s hair, this test will identify the presence or absence of a number of different classes of commonly abused or misused drugs and/or their metabolites. Drugs and their metabolites are deposited in hair as it grows through exposure to blood, sweat, and skin oils. On average, most drugs are detectable in head hair beginning at seven days after use and extending as far back as 90 days if the hair sample collected is at least 1.5 inches in length. This test requires a head or body hair sample that can be collected at one of our lab testing centers.
- 10 PANEL DRUG TEST (NAILS) – This test requires the clippings of all 10 fingernails or all 10 toenails, collected at one of our lab testing centers. It will identify the presence or absence of ten (10) different classes of commonly abused or misused drugs and/or their metabolites. Drugs and their metabolites are deposited in nails as they grow via the nail bed. On average, most drugs are detectable in fingernails beginning at approximately 7-14 days after use and extending as far back as 3-6 months, depending on the length of the nail clippings that are collected.
- 10 PANEL DRUG TEST (URINE) – We collect a urine sample at one of our lab testing centers that’s used to identify the presence or absence of ten (10) different classes of commonly abused or misused drugs or their metabolites. On average, most drugs are detectable in urine for approximately three days after the most recent use or exposure.
Any Lab Test Now® is Your Partner in Health
It’s important for you and your child to know that Any Lab Test Now® is a judgment-free zone. We provide the lab testing; you own the results and can use them as you choose. You can also set up testing anonymously because we understand this is a sensitive issue. We provide the utmost care and discretion with these matters, and adhere to strict HIPAA regulations.
Our service is about providing answers. Any Lab Test Now®is a lab testing center providing tangible results. Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you.
If you know someone who needs help with an addiction, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
