how to tell if your teen is vaping

How To Tell If Your Teen Is Vaping?

Smoking and vaping have become a concern for many parents. Several studies report that child and teenage vaping cases have increased by more than 14% in the last three years. Teens mistakenly believe that vaping is safer than smoking, and some parents even allowed teens to begin vaping in hopes that they would not begin smoking. Parents need to understand that vaping is also bad and how to get your teen to stop vaping.

Teen Vaping During Covid-19

Ever since the e-vape devices came onto the scene, the rate of kids getting addicted to vaping has increased dramatically. The number of adolescents needing teen drug addiction treatment has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Why wouldn’t they get addicted to vaping? There are now numerous e-vape companies, and they are constantly launching brand new flavors. The sweet, fruity-flavored vapes are hard to resist. There is no denying it vaping companies target teens.

Understanding Vaping

Many parents in Los Angeles suspect that their teen has been smoking weed or vaping, but they don’t have proof. Teens will usually lie about things like this if they are scared of getting into trouble. This makes it difficult for parents to discover the truth. However, finding out whether your kid vapes or not might be more accessible if you as a parent have some basic knowledge about drugs, vaping devices, and the e-vape solution.

If you have reason to suspect that your teen is vaping, it is your responsibility as a parent to discover the truth. We understand that as a parent, it is not going to be easy for you to accept that your kid is high or under the influence of vapes, but scolding or punishing them for this may not be the right decision at this point. Vaping is addictive. It has been proven to cause physical and mental health problems. Your kid needs help, and we assure you that they will return to their everyday healthy life with the structure and experts of our Teen IOP program. Instead of being harsh on them, please encourage them as they transition away from the vaping addiction.

What are Vaping Devices?

When it comes to vaping devices, there is a wide variety. Many of the vaping devices are too large to hide. However, a new type of vaping device is now available, the e-cigarette. These e-cigarettes are disposable, like actual cigarettes. This means hiding them won’t be a challenge for teens. Many parents don’t know that from where their child is gatting vapes? E-cigarettes are not legal for underage teens, but they still get ahold of them through siblings, older friends, and even their parents.
Unlike e-cigarettes, canister-type e-vape devices are larger and boxlike. These come with various parts. The components of these types of vapes may include square-shaped plastic containers. These containers are the pods. Look out for bottles filled with flavors liquid or vape juice, metal coils, colored rubber bands, etc. If you find any of these near you or within your teen’s stuff, such unrecognizable components can be a sign that your kid vapes.

Can your child get addicted to Vaping? Vaping can have a significant impact on the behavior of a person. When a teen is under the influence of addictive substances like Marijuana, Cocaine, Xanax, Opioids, or Alcohol, they may be constantly agitated or moody. They become more easily irritated with everything and everyone. Their instant change of mood becomes a significant issue. Kids or teens who have never been around smoking and started using e-vape devices are more likely to display these behavioral changes.

Vaping solution contains nicotine, six times more than a traditional cigarette. Nicotine is addictive and harmful. Numerous physical and psychological problems can be attributed to nicotine addiction.

Signs & Symptoms that Shows Your Teen is Vaping

One significant issue with vaping is that parents struggle to know when their child is really started Vaping. Since there’s no smoke, it isn’t easy to get kids in the demonstration. Here are symptoms of vaping by which you can know that your teen is involved in addiction or not.
  • Your teen might become more anxious, aggressive, irritated, etc.
  • They won’t be able to concentrate on their studies, and their grades may suffer.
  • They might become depressed, struggle with insomnia, stress, frustration, etc.
  • There may be a sudden decrease in appetite, or a favorite food may no longer taste good.
  • According to studies, people addicted to nicotine seem to have an urge to stay away from caffeine. The combination of nicotine and caffeine causes tremors and restlessness.
  • If your teen suddenly develops nose bleeds, it could be a side effect of vaping. Vaping causes dry mouth and dry nasal passages.
  • Sudden chest pain can be a sign of doing e-vapes. Nicotine makes the lungs too weak to handle breathing.
  • Shortness of breath can be one of the symptoms of vaping, and that your teen uses e-vape devices and needs help.
However, no matter which case, if you see any of these signs, don’t panic. Key Healthcare have several Los Angeles teen addiction treatment programs to help your teen get over their addiction to nicotine.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about Vaping

Is Vaping addictive?

Yes! The most popular vaping juices contain nicotine, which is the same substance found in cigarettes. Nicotine is known to enhance the pleasurable effect by increasing the production of dopamine. After constant exposure to nicotine, the body will eventually tolerate it, resulting in using more dopamine-enhancing substances. The National Institute on Drug Abuse warns that vaping can be a gateway to more severe substance addictions.

Is vaping safe for my teens?

No smoking device or product is safe. The consequences of vaping can be severe, so you must be aware of misconceptions like this to prevent dangerous situations.

Does vaping always involve nicotine?

Not always. Not all vape juices contain nicotine. However, that does not make vaping safe since it still contains other harmful chemicals. For instance, vape juices contain diacetyl, which is safe to ingest, but it can cause obliterative bronchiolitis (popcorn lung) if inhaled. Popcorn lung is incurable and is usually fatal.

What is in e-liquid/vape juices?

Vape juice is made up of four ingredients: water, nicotine, flavorings, glycerin, and/or propylene glycol (PG)
Nicotine is an addictive substance commonly found in tobacco and e-cigarettes. It stimulates the brain to produce more dopamine and increase the level of pleasure. Vape juices are available with different levels of nicotine content, ranging from none to 36 milligrams per milliliter.
Flavorings — There are over 7,000 flavors to choose from. The most popular chemical found in flavorings is diacetyl, a deadly substance if inhaled. There are more toxic chemicals in vape juice flavorings that can pose health risks when inhaled.
Propylene Glycol is an FDA-approved substance commonly found in food, drugs, and cosmetics. Like diacetyl, it is safe to ingest but may cause lung irritation if inhaled.
Glycerin — An odorless liquid that gives vape juices a lightly sweet taste. It is safe and is commonly found in food and prescription drugs. 

Are there any advantages to vaping compared to smoking traditional cigarettes?

Yes. Vapes aren’t safe, but they are still less harmful than cigarettes. This is because the vapor inhaled contains less harmful chemicals than smoke. In addition, transitioning from smoking to vaping is recommended if someone wants to quit smoking. It aids the user to slowly but surely remove nicotine dependence. The CDC approves this technique.
Again, note that vaping isn’t a good thing, especially not for teens.

Is second-hand smoke from vaping dangerous?

Yes. The American Lung Association has determined that ALL second-hand smoke can damage the health of everyone, especially children. Second-hand smoke can cause lung cancer and respiratory infections. In addition, it can also worsen existing respiratory complications like asthma.

What are the dangers of vaping?

Vaping can pose health-related risks to the users, particularly teens, since their organs are still developing. It can also affect their emotional and mental well-being. Here are some of the downsides your teen may experience if they are vaping:

Health-related effects of Vaping

  • Heightened risk of cardiovascular complications like heart attack and stroke.
  • Risks of respiratory-related illnesses like lung cancer, popcorn lung, and shortness of breath.
  • Oral problems like mouth, gum, and throat irritation.
  • Tremors.
  • Eye irritation.
  • Frequent headaches.

Vaping Effects on the emotional, behavioral, and mental well-being

  • Anxiety.
  • Prone to substance addiction.
  • Nicotine dependence.
  • Behavioral issues like restlessness and irritability.
  • Stress.

What are the long-term health effects of vaping?

The long-term health effects of vaping are still unknown. Professionals are still researching them, and they believe that it will take 20 to 30 years of further studies to understand vaping and its effects fully.
However, it is already proven that vapor from vapes contains toxic chemicals that might affect the user’s health. The safe-to-ingest compounds in vape juices are still under examination to determine whether they can pose health risks if inhaled, which is highly likely.

Can vaping make you lightheaded?

Yes. Like smoking for the first time, someone who starts to vape can feel high, lightheaded, and dizzy. This is because most vape juices contain nicotine. The sensation will eventually stop occurring after the brain becomes tolerant of nicotine and the other chemicals found in vape juices.

How to tell if your teen is vaping?

If you believe that your teen is vaping, some things can confirm your suspicions. Be on the lookout for the following signs:
  1. You see vape equipment in their belongings. Some of the most self-evident vape parts are burnt cotton, vape juice, and batteries.
  2. They are experiencing shortness of breath, especially if they are physically active.
  3. Lack of appetite and weight loss. Nicotine can drastically reduce appetite.
  4. They smell sweet. Flavored vape juices have sweet fragrances. 
  5. They are experiencing mood swings, lack of concentration, and agitation.
  6. They wear strong-scented perfumes. They might be trying to get rid of the smell of vapes by wearing strong-scented perfumes.

Can vaping help my teen quit smoking?

Studies show that vaping can help an individual quit smoking. However, it is not the best option for your teen, especially if left unsupervised during this process. In addition, studies regarding this subject have inconsistent results. In any case, it is best to seek professional help when trying to quit smoking.

Why are teens vaping?

A CDC survey found out that there are three main reasons why teens like to vape:
Social and family influence (39%) — The most prevalent reason teens are vaping is that someone they know is also vaping. This shows the impact of setting an example on a teen’s life decisions.
Attracted by flavors (31%) — Many teens start vaping because they like the flavors. This is no surprise since the intended market for flavored vape juices is young adults.
Misconception about vaping (17.1%) — Teenagers believe that vaping is a safe substitute for cigarettes. It would help if you dispelled this misconception as soon as possible.

What Can a Parent do to Stop their Teen from Vaping?

Because the dangers of vaping are just coming to light, many Los Angeles teens and their parents are not aware of the inherent dangers associated with the habit. Not only can it cause physical and mental side effects, but it is seriously addictive. How is Vaping addictive? Your teen may become somebody you don’t even know. Changes in attitude, behavior, interests, friends, and school performance are common when teens overuse any stimulant, including vaping juice.

How Can I Talk to My Child About Vaping?

Even if you are unsure whether your teen is addicted to vaping, talk to kids about vaping. Ask about their friends and if their friends do it. Ask what they may know about it. Open and honest communication is the best way to ensure that your teen doesn’t get involved with vaping.

If you find out your teen is vaping, let them know you love them and are there for them. Contact us for a free confidential consultation to discuss the most appropriate teen treatment program for your adolescent. We offer teen nicotine addiction treatment, outpatient and inpatient programs, individual teen therapy, and family therapy, and we specialize in helping teens conquer their drug use. You can trust us. We ensure the safety of your teen while helping them on their journey, and our aftercare for teens program will provide additional support as they navigate through recovery.