Is my teenager taking drugs?

[Kosenrufugirl]

My teen used to go into his bedroom after school and play Roblox for hours (and to use every week's allowance on Roblox). Since the beginning of this term he comes home and gets into bed. The lights are kept off even though it gets completely dark after 5. He says he is tired and wants to rest. Homework hasn't increased, no peer problems that I know off. No health issues. He looks and sounds normal when he gets home after school and if I venture into the bedroom. Asks to keep the light off as it's hurting his eyes. Back to normal around 7. It's been going on and off for over a week now. I heard this kind of behaviour could indicate a child is taking drugs. I spoke about drugs, he laughed it of. Am I being paranoid or do I have a reason to worry?

Why is drugs the first thing you jump to, what has lead you to that conclusion?

My first thought would have been to take him to the GP.

If the light is hurting his eyes, does he have a headache or a migraine or something? Is be going down that road rather than the drugs tbh

If you think he's smoking weed there would be a very strong small on his clothes so you would know from that . He may need an eyetest ?

i think you’re being paranoid I’m afraid! How old is he? Both my boys went through a phase of sleeping after school. It’s tiring, they are growing and it’s a dismal time of year. Why is the light hurting his eyes though? I’d consider taking him to the doctor or optician.

Thank you for the reply. My son has mild asthma so I am always scanning for him being unwell as any virus aggravates his wheeze. We have been in and out of hospital all the time when he was younger so it's just the habit for me now. He is perfectly fine health wise.

It sounds more like depression, migraines, anaemia or chronic fatigue than drug abuse to me. I'd get him to the gp and ask for some blood tests.

Thank you for your reply. We took him to A&E in October as he was complaining of aversion to light and stiff neck. I always take his health seriously as he has mild asthma and he gets wheezy when under the weather. His health is fine as far as I can see and he hasn't told me he is unwell. If he was he would be pleading with me not to send him to school which isn't happening

eye test?

When was his last eye test

Thank you for your reply. His last eye test was in September and he wears glasses, nothing new. The room doesn't stink of anything. It's not weed I am worried about, it's a new generation of synthetic drugs. I heard they are cheap and cheerful

September last eye. He has been wearing glasses for over a year now

Thank you for your reply. His eye test was in September last year, no change in his prescription

I would not automatically think drugs if this was my child (I have a teen). My first thought would be he's unwell and to have a frank and honest talk with him and about how he's feeling, then I'd see the GP if I thought it was needed.

I think you're being paranoid. It's been a week. Maybe he's just tired, feeling a little depressed, not feeling well or just wants to chill out after a hard day at school. How old is he? I think it's strange personally that your first thought would be drugs.

Thank you for your reply. My son is very bright and in the top sets even though he hardly ever bothers with homework. As a result he finds school boring and he would be arguing with me not to send him to school on thegrounds of ill health. He isn't doing this. The reason I am so worried is this is how it started for a friend of a friend (son coming home, complaining he is tired and lying down to rest). I wonder if anyone had a similar experience, first hand or otherwise

I've tried all the drugs...never heard of one where you'd engage in this behaviour.

It definitely sounds like a health problem he might need some support with - I would instinctively think stress, depression or insomnia, but I would suggest dr's anyway

Thank you for your reply. This happened to a friend of a friend 30 years ago when drugs were much rarer. Happened to a 13 year old boy from a well off family. Same age as my son now. It took that family 2 years before they finally worked out what was happening. I heard the new synthetic drugs are very cheap and abundant. My 13 years old is very adventurous hence my worry. He doesn't sound tired, worried, ill or depressed in the least. Bounces out of his bedroom after 2-3 hours. It's a change in behaviour I am worried about

Thank you for your reply. Do you mind me asking how old were you when you experimented? My son is 13 however he is very adventurous. Also a friend of a friend started taking drugs age 13. That story didn't end well

Thank you for your reply. His last eye test was in September and he wears glasses, nothing new. The room doesn't stink of anything. It's not weed I am worried about, it's a new generation of synthetic drugs. I heard they are cheap and cheerful

If your child was using NPS , he'd not be turning the light off and being quiet
He'd be jumping off the roof , getting into a lot of trouble , acting very bizarrely. Yes you can buy a hit for £2 but I promise you'd have more to be concerned about

I'd be thinking is he ill/ depressed / isolating/ in love / aneamic/ watching crap on his phone / reading / avoiding someone in the home ?

Mild asthma does he also have hay fever? The cold is irritating my eyes at the moment and a nap with lights out sounds like a dream. It's also worth an eye test if he's comparing about his eyes the prescription might need adjusting.

Putting it kindly, you do seem a little fixated on your friend of a friend who took drugs. I've known many people who've taken drugs, I don't immediately think my teens are doing the same the minute they do something slightly out of character. It's winter, dark and depressing. He's more likely just chilling out with his phone, chatting to mates or snoozing.

Maybe he wants to enjoy some private time ?

Thank you so much for your reply. The closest clue of the list you gave me is his phone. He keeps it on silent, denies it's in his possession and I don't strip search my children. I will ask his brother for the password and try to find out what my 13 year old has been up to recently. He is super adventures so I am really watching him like a hawk (very discretely).

If he's often on his phone he's probably discovered porn...

Thank you for your reply. My son is very bright and VERY adventurous. It's been over a week of a distinct change of behaviour. I thought I would post on Mumsnet and see what others think. I probably need to relax for now