WARNING SIGNS OF USE: A PARENT’S GUIDE
Moody, secretive, angry, tired, flaky, broke. A typical teenager? Absolutely. But these characteristics could also be warning signs of a substance abuse problem. It’s hard for parents to know for sure, and they last thing you want to do is accuse a non-using child of drinking or taking drugs. Your best chance for avoiding a false alarm while being alert to possible abuse is to know what the warning signs are- and to know your child. There’s no substitute for being tuned in to your child’s activities, friends, feelings, thoughts, and dreams.
Following are some behaviors that may indicate substance use and abuse. If you observe these symptoms and behaviors, consider their frequency, duration, and/or intensity. It’s normal for adolescents to go through friends and interests as quickly as they do sneakers; to have uncontrollable laughing bouts and temper outbursts; to demand greater autonomy and privacy; to cycle through periods of melancholy and self-deprecation. Your knowledge of your child will suggest whether you’re observing your child’s healthy, if at times, trying growth, or a problem that warrants intervention and/or professional help.
|
|
*These signs could be strong indicators of inhalant abuse, which can cause permanent brain damage or death from even one incident. Studied show that inhalants are the most frequently abused substance for middle schoolers, with one in five children having tried them by the eight grade. If you discover that a child is high on inhalants, ventilate the room and call for emergency medical assistance immediately. Stay calm and avoid exciting the child, as this can trigger hallucinations, violent behavior, or heart failure. If the child should lose consciousness, initiate CPR at once.