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Is Your
Child Using
Drugs-How to Find Out
compliments of
:
drugfree.org
The mood swings and unpredictable
behavior of the tween and teen years often make it hard to tell if a
child is using drugs — but there are warning signs you can watch out
for. If your child exhibits one or more of the following behaviors or
moods, drugs may have become a part of his or her life:
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She's withdrawn,
depressed, tired, or careless about her personal grooming.
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He's hostile,
uncooperative, and frequently breaks curfews.
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Her relationships
with family members have deteriorated. He's hanging around with a
new group of friends.
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Her grades have
slipped, and her school attendance is irregular.
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He's lost interest
in hobbies, sports, and other favorite activities.
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Her eating and
sleeping patterns have changed; she's up at night and sleeps during
the day.
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He has a hard time
concentrating.
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Her eyes are
red-rimmed and her nose is runny — but she doesn't have allergies or
a cold.
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Household money has
been disappearing.
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You have
found any of the following in your home: pipes, rolling
papers, small medicine bottles, eye drops, butane lighters, homemade
pipes, or bongs (pipes that use water as a filter) made from soda
cans or plastic beverage containers.
Some of these
indicators can be caused by emotional problems or physical illness.
Discuss the possibility with your child's doctor and, if necessary, take
him in for a physical exam. If illness is not the problem, it's time to
choose a course of action. |
