Devastated and not sure what to do next.

[Partnerd]

Teenage DD 17 has been struggling for past and gone from A grade student to D grade. She has been exhibiting sings of moodiness and anxiety. It's been really rocky and I have been trying to support as best I can.

Was just in her room trying to extricate some sewing stuff which she has used and picked up a tin. Don't know why I opened it. Inside was a bunch of cigarette papers, lighters and a cannabis grinder. I could smell weed in the tin.

I know kids will be kids and they will drink and push boundaries but I feel devastated. Could this be the root of her anxiety and moodiness ?

Seriously don't know what to do here.

Yes. It has a psychotic effect. I would ring the GP and ask of there any agencies to help. I would also be very concerned about who she is mixing with ?

Is she still going out and about or at home? Except for college/6th form.

Yes she does go out and about occasionally. She isn't out all the time though.

She's 18 in two days time and I know legally I won't be able to enforce anything. I'm not even sure that coming down on her hard at this stage will serve any purpose other than further alienating her and causing a massive shit storm just weeks before important tests for her A levels.

Right now I don't know how much weed she is doing or if this is impacting on her I just know she has some weed related gear in her room and I know she has been not herself for a few months.

I'm thinking a low level chat highlighting the possibility that weed may be making her anxiety worse may be be the way forward.

She's probably using it to self medicate if her anxiety is affecting her that badly but it can have the opposite of the desired effect with regular long term use. I'd suggest that she goes to the GP to get proper treatment.
There's also a chance that she's just doing it casually with her mates every now and then, which at 18, I don't think you can do much about as long as she's not smoking it in the house.

Thanks @withpeaceandlove - I suspect (and hope) it's the latter.

Just need to find a way of starting that conversation with her.