Being a parent of a teenager is hard work. It’s the first time that parents are seeing their children as individuals; watching them make adult decisions that can only be handled to the best of a teenager’s ability. As difficult as these stages can be, most parents assume that they will manage the teenage years like any other stage, as it too won’t last forever. Unfortunately, some parents are faced with much more than the traditional teenage rebellion, and instead, are confronted with the very real issue of teenage addiction.
At The River Source, we have worked with numerous teens and young adults, and we understand how difficult it is for families to accept that there may be a problem. Addiction is not what any parent foresees in their child’s future, which is why many behaviors go undetected for months. Parents are often left feeling defeated when they learn of where their teen had been hiding their drugs: under the roof of their own home.
Should You Snoop?
The question of whether or not a parent should snoop through their child’s things is always up for debate, and for many families, it’s a personal decision. However, we believe that if you suspect your child is having a problem, it is your right as a parent to look through their belongings and ensure their safety. By not checking into things, you could be ignoring a bigger problem.
If you suspect that your teenager may be struggling with addiction, you may not know where to look for evidence. Most parents go for the obvious places, such as cell phone texts, garbage cans, closets, and backpacks. Yet there are many other places that your teen could be hiding drugs, and these places are some of the last spots you would think to look.
Common Hiding Spots
Below are the most common places where teens hide drugs from their parents.
Lip Gloss or Lipstick Tubes: These small tubes can hold a minimal amount of cocaine, ecstasy pills or LSD. Even hairbrush handles can hold small amounts of these substances.
Highlighters and Pens: A highlighter or pen is nothing that a parent will suspect, but a small amount of marijuana can be stored between the tip of the highlighter and the cap.
Belt Buckles: There are belt buckles specifically designed to conceal drugs and can easily be purchased online. These same belt buckles can be converted into a pipe as well. Even traditional belt buckles can easily store small amounts of illegal drugs.
Candy Wrappers: These colored wrappers can easily disguise illegal drugs. The candy is removed and replaced with pills, then the wrapper is glued shut.
Toilet Tanks: Drugs can be kept out of sight when they’re wrapped in plastic and taped beneath toilet tanks. This same idea is used when taping drugs underneath the hood of a car.
Posters or Pictures: Teens have also been known to wrap up marijuana, cocaine or heroin, tape it to the wall and hang a poster or picture over it. The drugs are out of sight and kept off the teen.
Game Consoles: Many teens have game consoles in their bedrooms, and these devices have plenty of hollow parts that are suitable for storing illegal drugs.
Battery Compartments: Battery compartments are small and found just about anywhere, including inside TV remotes, video games, electronics, and wall clocks. They can also be the perfect hiding spots for drugs.
If you suspect that your teen may be abusing drugs or alcohol, call The River Source today at 866-294-9331. We can give you the support and positive direction you need.
