How to Recognize Teen Substance Use Early and Intervene with Compassion

The Back-to-School Window: Why This Time Matters

The start of a new school year brings fresh opportunities and new stressors for teens. Academic pressure, shifting social circles, and exposure to substances can make this season a critical turning point for families.

For some parents, the signs of substance use are sudden. For others, they appear gradually—changes in mood, slipping grades, or withdrawal from activities they once loved. Recognizing these early and acting with compassion can make all the difference. 1

“When parents reach out early, they’re not just interrupting a pattern; they’re giving their teen the best chance at a full, healthy life.”

— Kelley Gavigan, LMSW, Director of Partial Hospitalization Programs at River’s Bend

Early Signs of Teen Substance Use Parents Shouldn’t Ignore

Sometimes, accomplishments like going off to college or starting a new grade bring about emotional struggles. Not all changes signal substance use, but if you notice several of these together, it’s worth taking a closer look:

  • Sudden drop in grades or loss of interest in school
  • New friend groups that are secretive or avoidant
  • Changes in sleep patterns, appetite, or energy levels
  • Frequent mood swings, irritability, or unexplained anger
  • Disappearance of money or valuables
  • Smell of alcohol, smoke, or unfamiliar substances on clothing
  • Avoidance of family time and increased secrecy

Tip: Look for patterns, not isolated incidents. A single bad day is normal; a sustained change is a red flag.2

How to Talk to Your Teen About Drugs or Alcohol Without Pushing Them Away

The goal is to open a conversation, not close a door. Teens are more likely to respond when they feel understood—not judged.

Choose the right time
Pick a calm, private moment when neither of you is rushed or upset. Neutral settings like a car ride, walk, or shared activity can make the conversation feel less like an interrogation.

Lead with concern, not accusation
❌ Instead of: “You’re ruining your life.”
✅ Try: “I’ve noticed you’ve been skipping activities you used to enjoy, and I’m worried about you.”

Listen more than you speak
Use open-ended questions: “How have you been feeling lately?” or “What’s been going on at school?” Reflect back what you hear to show you’re listening: “It sounds like you’ve been feeling overwhelmed.”

Be clear about boundaries
Let your teen know what’s non-negotiable for their safety—like no drug or alcohol use, curfews, and school attendance. Explain these limits as protection, not punishment:
“I’m setting these limits because your safety matters more to me than anything else.”

Example Conversation

Parent: “I’ve noticed you’ve been spending more time alone lately and skipping some activities you used to enjoy. I’m worried about you.”
Teen: “I’m fine. You don’t need to worry.”
Parent: “I hear you saying you’re fine, but I care about you too much to ignore these changes. Can you help me understand what’s been going on?”
Teen: “I don’t know… school’s been stressful.”
Parent: “That makes sense. School can feel overwhelming. I’m here to listen, not judge. We’ll figure this out together.”

Free Resource: Download our Conversation Starter: A Parent’s Guide to Talking with Your Teen About Substance Use.

When to Get Professional Help for Your Teen

If concerns persist, or your teen’s safety is at risk, it’s time to bring in expert support.3

At River’s Bend, we offer a continuum of adolescent behavioral health services that meet teens where they are. We encourage you to contact our intake team to discuss what would be the best fit for your child.

Adolescent Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

For teens who need structured support but can still live at home, our Adolescent IOP provides:

  • Group therapy led by licensed clinicians
  • Family involvement to strengthen relationships
  • Flexible scheduling to fit school commitments
  • Focus on emotional regulation, coping skills, and relapse prevention

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

A more intensive, full-day program designed for teens requiring additional stabilization before stepping down to IOP.

  • Runs Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–3:30 pm
  • Daily therapy sessions, skill-building, and academic coordination
  • Close clinical oversight while allowing the teen to return home each evening

“Our PHP and IOP programs give teens the structure and safety they need without removing them entirely from their daily lives. That balance can be the bridge from crisis to stability.”

— Kelley Gavigan, LMSW

Learn more about how to help when a loved one is struggling with addiction. 

Other Ways to Get Help

We also offer:

If inpatient care is needed, we collaborate with trusted Metro Detroit programs and beyond, such as Newport Academy, Rosencrance, Metropolitan Behavioral Health, and Havenwyck Hospital.

We coordinate with these programs to ensure a seamless transition into outpatient care, reducing relapse risk.

Creating a Recovery-Ready Home

Your home environment plays a key role in sustaining progress.
📥 Download our Back-to-School Checklist: Creating a Recovery-Ready Home to learn:

  • How to set healthy boundaries around social media, curfew, and friends
  • Tips for removing triggers and monitoring access to substances
  • Ways to integrate positive activities that build resilience

You Don’t Have to Wait for “Rock Bottom”

Healthy intervention means stepping in before a crisis.

As we often say, raising the bottom with compassion and boundaries can change the course of a teen’s life.

Taking action early doesn’t mean you’re overreacting—it means you’re giving your teen the best possible chance for a safe, healthy, and fulfilling life.4

Ready to talk? 

References:

  1. Early warning signs of teen substance use | Hazelden Betty Ford. (n.d.). https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/articles/warning-signs-teen-substance-use  ↩︎
  2. Meyer, P. J., King, C. P., & Ferrario, C. R. (2015). Motivational processes underlying substance abuse disorder. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, 473–506. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2015_391  ↩︎
  3. Griffin, K. W., & Botvin, G. J. (2010). Evidence-Based Interventions for Preventing Substance use disorders in Adolescents. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 19(3), 505–526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2010.03.005  ↩︎
  4. Jiloha, R. (2017). Prevention, early intervention, and harm reduction of substance use in adolescents. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 59(1), 111. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.204444  ↩︎

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