This mockup of a teen bedroom will show you common ways and places drugs and alcohol could be hidden. Search the room and click on the 
button to learn more about the items that may indicate drug or alcohol use.
Click on the 
button to learn more about the items that may indicate positive, healthy youth development.
Wall Hangings
Drugs or substances can be hidden behind pictures, posters, fabric wall hangings or other decorations hung on the walls.
Markers, Pens, Highlighters, & Dust Cans
Markers, pens, highlighters, and dust cans can be hollowed our to hide and store drugs or paraphernalia. Some markers, pens, and compressed cans can be inhaled or “huffed” to get high.
Environment (Twinkle LED Lights)
Cozy, warm lighting from twinkle lights may help calm and regulate someone’s mental and emotional state.
Razor Blade
Razor blades may indicate drug use (cocaine or marijuana), self-harm, and can pose a danger to your teen. If you find sharp items or razors in your teen’s room, please make it a point to sit down and have a conversation with your teen.
Lip Balm Container and Makeup Compact
Lip balm containers and makeup compacts can be used store marijuana concentrates or small items such as pills or substances.
Hollowed out books
Tissue boxes, lamp shades, hollowed-out textbooks, and remote controls are common bedroom items that can be used to conceal or disguise drugs, alcohol, or medicines.
A list of goals or symbols of participation/accomplishment (things they are proud of...)
Adolescents with high individual academic aspirations and engagement in school have less mental health problems and associated risks.
Eyedrops and Perfume/Cologne
Eyedrops can be used to cover red eyes caused by alcohol, marijuana, or other drug use. Perfumes and cologne help cover up smells of cigarettes, marijuana, other drugs
Fruit with Holes
Apples, potatoes, and other fruits/vegetables can be use as make-shift bongs for smoking illegal substances by carving two holes – usually marijuana.
Matches and Lighters
Matches and lighters can be used when smoking drugs like meth or marijuana.
Marijuana Edibles
Edibles are food items infused with THC that is absorbed through the bloodstream. It is very easy for these to be mistaken as regular food/candy from unsuspected users like young children or pets.
Sweatshirts and Pockets
Certain sweatshirts can be specifically designed so one can discreetly vape through the drawstrings odor-free.
Outlet Casing and Cover
Outlet covers and casings may be unscrewed, taken off, and utilized as a covert storage space for substances or alcohol.
Pictures of Loved Ones
Young people should be able to form and maintain positive relationships with others. This includes not only their peers, but also their siblings, parents, and teachers. If there are pets in the home, then they should have positive relationships with non-human members of the family as well.
Relaxation tools (stress ball, yoga mat)
Stress balls, yoga, and other physical activity can help release unwanted or uncomfortable emotions and can produce positive psychological and physical outcomes.
Chargers and Cords
Be weary of what your teen has plugged into their outlets. It is common to find typical cords but some may charge vapes for nicotine or marijuana.
Vapes, Cartridges, and ``USBs``
With the rising increase of vaping with teens, many of these devices look like pens or simple USBs. Many of these devices are in two parts, the battery and cartridges/pods filled with nicotine, marijuana, or other substances.
Mouthwash and Mints
Mouthwash and mints can be used to disguise or mask odors from alcohol use and drug use. Small mint containers are a hiding place for substances or drugs. Some mouthwashes contain alcohol that can be used to get drunk.
Good Book
Reading for pleasure in childhood is associated with healthy behaviors in adolescence, including decreased odds of cigarette and alcohol use.
Water Bottles or Clear Containers
May be used to conceal clear liquids such as alcohol or vodka. Water bottles can also be used for makeshift bongs, typically paired with a small metal or tin foil piece.
Cellphones
You might learn a lot about what your teen has been doing, if anything, through their cellphones. Where drugs and other illegal items have been purchased, or contacts for obtaining or selling drugs, are examples of things they could be up to on their cellphones.
Poster on the Wall Hiding a Hole in It
Wall hangings, posters, or furniture may be used to cover up and hide spots to conceal drugs or paraphernalia.
Trash Cans
Trash cans can contain items that may indicate drug use such as burnt tin foil, wrappers to vapes/pods, “420” stickers or other drug references.
Hiding Spots
You may find small areas, boxes, or bags that are used as stash spots for drugs or alcohol or other illegal items. Typically, these can be anywhere as teens are becoming more creative and crafty than we may think.
Pants Pockets and Hoodie Pockets
Sometimes, you may come across substances or vapes from your teen’s clothing pockets.
Backpacks, Purses, Small Bags
Backpacks, purses, and small bags are commonly used by teens to conceal drugs, substances, or alcohol from parents and other authority figures. It’s important for parents to be aware of these hiding places and monitor their children’s behavior to prevent substance abuse.
Pay special attention to your teen’s relationship with their backpack, especially if they rarely put their bag down or leave it unattended. This may be a warning sign that the contents of their bag could include illicit substances.
Chess Board
Chess can improve cognitive abilities, coping and problem-solving capacity, and the socio-affective development of children and adolescents who practice it.
Sports Equipment
Participation in sports has been shown to be protective against depression and other risk factors by boosting self-esteem, improving body image, increasing social support, and decreasing substance use.
Musical Instrument
Increasing evidence supports that playing a musical instrument may benefit cognitive development and health at young ages.
Underneath the Lining of Shoes and Sneakers
Underneath sneaker liners and insoles can be used and hollowed out to create a pocket to conceal and hide drugs and paraphernalia.
Knitting
The social connections people form at a crochet night or a knitting-group gathering is an important determinant of health. Knitting can reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression as a soothing and meditative activity.
Floor and Hiding Areas
Trash Cans
Trash cans can contain items that may indicate drug use such as burnt tin foil, wrappers to vapes/pods, “420” stickers or other drug references.
Backpacks, Purses, Small Bags
Backpacks, purses, and small bags are commonly used by teens to conceal drugs, substances, or alcohol from parents and other authority figures. It’s important for parents to be aware of these hiding places and monitor their children’s behavior to prevent substance abuse.
Pants Pockets and Hoodie Pockets
Sometimes, you may come across substances or vapes from your teen’s clothing pockets.
Hiding Spots
You may find small areas, boxes, or bags that are used as stash spots for drugs or alcohol or other illegal items. Typically, these can be anywhere as teens are becoming more creative and crafty than we may think.
Bed Side Items and Nightstands
Vapes, Cartridges, and “USBs”
With the rising increase of vaping with teens, many of these devices look like pens or simple USBs. Many of these devices are in two parts, the battery and cartridges/pods filled with nicotine, marijuana, or other substances.
Water Bottles or Clear Containers
May be used to conceal clear liquids such as alcohol or vodka. Water bottles can also be used for makeshift bongs, typically paired with a small metal or tin foil piece.
Cellphones
You might learn a lot about what your teen has been doing, if anything, through their cellphones. Where drugs and other illegal items have been purchased, or contacts for obtaining or selling drugs, are examples of things they could be up to on their cellphones.
Mouthwash and Mints
Mouthwash and mints can be used to disguise or mask odors from alcohol use and drug use. Small mint containers are a hiding place for substances or drugs. Some mouthwashes contain alcohol that can be used to get drunk.
Outlet Casing and Cover
Outlet covers and casings may be unscrewed, taken off, and utilized as a covert storage space for substances or alcohol.
Desk and Floor Areas
Wall Hangings
Drugs or substances can be hidden behind pictures, posters, fabric wall hangings or other decorations hung on the walls.
Markers, Pens, Highlighters, & Dust Cans
Markers, pens, highlighters, and dust cans can be hollowed our to hide and store drugs or paraphernalia. Some markers, pens, and compressed cans can be inhaled or “huffed” to get high.
Razor Blade
Razor blades may indicate drug use (cocaine or marijuana), self-harm, and can pose a danger to your teen. If you find sharp items or razors in your teen’s room, please make it a point to sit down and have a conversation with your teen.
Fruit with Holes
Apples, potatoes, and other fruits/vegetables can be used as make-shift bongs for smoking illegal substances by carving two holes – usually marijuana.
Lip Balm Container and Makeup Compact
Lip balm containers and makeup compacts can be used store marijuana concentrates or small items such as pills or substances.
Marijuana Edibles
Edibles are food items infused with THC that is absorbed through the bloodstream. It is very easy for these to be mistaken as regular food/candy from unsuspected users like young children or pets.
Hollowed out books
Tissue boxes, lamp shades, hollowed-out textbooks, and remote controls are common bedroom items that can be used to conceal or disguise drugs, alcohol, or medicines.
Sweatshirts and Pockets
Certain sweatshirts can be specifically designed so one can discreetly vape through the drawstrings odor-free.
Matches and Lighters
Matches and lighters can be used when smoking drugs like meth or marijuana.
Indications of Positive, Healthy Youth Development
Environment (Twinkle LED Lights)
Cozy, warm lighting from twinkle lights may help calm and regulate someone’s mental and emotional state.
A list of goals or symbols of participation/accomplishment (things they are proud of…)
Adolescents with high individual academic aspirations and engagement in school have less mental health problems and associated risks.
Pictures of Loved Ones
Young people should be able to form and maintain positive relationships with others. This includes not only their peers, but also their siblings, parents, and teachers. If there are pets in the home, then they should have positive relationships with non-human members of the family as well.
Relaxation tools (stress ball, yoga mat)
Stress balls, yoga, and other physical activity can help release unwanted or uncomfortable emotions and can produce positive psychological and physical outcomes.
Good Book
Reading for pleasure in childhood is associated with healthy behaviors in adolescence, including decreased odds of cigarette and alcohol use.
Chess Board
Chess can improve cognitive abilities, coping and problem-solving capacity, and the socio-affective development of children and adolescents who practice it.
Sports Equipment
Participation in sports has been shown to be protective against depression and other risk factors by boosting self-esteem, improving body image, increasing social support, and decreasing substance use.
Musical Instrument
Increasing evidence supports that playing a musical instrument may benefit cognitive development and health at young ages.
Knitting
The social connections people form at a crochet night or a knitting-group gathering is an important determinant of health. Knitting can reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression as a soothing and meditative activity.