Parent's Guide

Parent's Guide

• Signs Your Child May Be Using Drugs
• Most Common Excuses for Using Alcohol or Marijuana
• Get Involved in Your Child's Life
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Signs Your Child May Be Using Drugs:

Since mood swings and unpredictable behavior are frequent occurrences for pre-teens and teenagers, parents may find it difficult to see signs of alcohol and drug abuse. If your child starts to exhibit one or more of the following signs, drug abuse may be at the heart of the problem:--Withdrawn, depressed, and tired --Careless about personal grooming

• Hostile and uncooperative --Frequently breaking curfews.
• Relationships with family members are deteriorating.
• Hanging out with a different group of friends.
• Grades are dropping and school attendance is irregular.
• Lack of interest in hobbies, sports, and other regular activities.
• Eating or sleeping patterns are drastically changing.
• Concentration is difficult.
• Eyes are red-rimmed or exhibits prolonged cold-like symptoms.

The presence of pipes, rolling paper, prescription medication bottles, eye drops, or butane lighters in your home may indicate that your child is using drugs. Other drug paraphernalia include homemade pipes and bongs (pipes that use water as a filter) made from soda cans or plastic beverage containers. If you suspect your child is using drugs, you should voice your suspicions openly, avoiding direct accusations. You should talk when he or she is sober and you are calm. This may mean waiting until the next day if he or she comes home drunk from a party, or if their room reeks of marijuana.

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Most Common Excuses for Using Alcohol or Marijuana:

Alcohol:

• "I was holding it for a friend."
• "Someone's drink spilled on me."
• "I just took a sip, I didn't know it had alcohol in it."
• "All my friends are doing it."
• "It's only alcohol; at least I don't smoke dope."
• "At least I don't drink and drive."

Marijuana:

• "That smell is my new incense."
• "It's only marijuana; at least I don't do hard drugs."
• "I just tried it once and I'll never do it again."
• "It's normal to experiment when you're a teenager."
• "My eyes are bothering me; I probably have allergies."
• "I'm just tired."--"It's cool to wear sunglasses inside."
• "If you think I am bad, you should see what other kids do."
• "It's not like when you were young."
• "They made me do it."

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Get Involved in Your Child's Life:

Explore what's going on in your child's emotional or social life that may influence drug use. Ask your child questions about school and friends. If your child is reluctant to talk, get help from your child's school guidance counselor or family physician. If necessary, contact a local drug treatment referral and assessment center. They may get a better response. Getting your child to talk openly with you is an important first step to recovery. Take time to discuss the drug problem openly with your child. Discuss how to avoid using drugs and alcohol in the future. It shows that your child's well-being is important to you and that you still love them, despite what they have done or are doing. Be firm when enforcing discipline. Give your child insight on how to regain trust, such as checking in regularly, spending evenings at home, and improving grades. The key is to get involved early in your child's life to discuss the harmful effects of drugs before they start. It is important that you be supportive of your child and talk frequently. Make sure your child knows you love them.