Teenagers Drug Abuse Prevention 114 DIAGNOSING TEEN ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE If you think that your teen is using alcohol or drugs, gather all the information you can before you take your teen to a doctor. This will help ensure an accurate diagnosis. If you think that your teen is using alcohol or drugs, gather all the information you can before you take your teen to a doctor. This will help ensure an accurate diagnosis. If the doctor believes that your teen may have a substance use disorder, the doctor will: • Ask about your teen's past health and do a physical exam. • Want to talk with your teen in private. The doctor will ask questions about your teen's attitude toward substance use, the history of use, and any effects of drug use. The doctor may try to find out if your teen has certain conditions, such as: • ADHD. • Conduct disorder. • Depression or long-term depressed mood (persistent depressive disorder). • Anxiety disorders. • Post-traumatic stress disorder. These health conditions are common in teens who use substances. Your child's doctor will want to treat these conditions as well as the substance use. The doctor may refer your teen to a professional who is experienced in teen substance use disorders. Urine, blood, or hair drug analysis (toxicology testing) or a blood alcohol test isn't usually done to diagnose a substance use disorder. SCREENING TEST FOR SUBSTANCE USE Teens often experiment with lots of things, including alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. The doctor will ask your teen questions to get a better idea of any substances your teen may have tried. This is called screening. The answers help the doctor know if there are signs of a substance use disorder. If you don't think that your teen has been screened for substance use, you can ask the doctor to do a screening test. Image by Freepik saskhealthauthority.ca
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