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Teach Your Parents Well Program
To obtain additional
information, we have an alcohol education program,
“Teach Your Parents Well” geared towards educating parents/adults
on the dangers, consequences and social pitfalls of providing, encouraging or facilitating
children in obtaining alcohol under the age of 21. This program is provided free
of charge for civic, church, schools, etc. groups.
Signs and Symptoms of Drug Abuse
It is important to keep in mind
that if a child shows any of the following symptoms,
it does not necessarily mean that he or she is using drugs. The presence of some
of these behaviors could be the product of adolescent stress. Others may be symptoms
of depression or a host of other problems. Whatever the cause, they may warrant
attention, especially if they persist or if they occur in a cluster. A mental health
professional or a caring and concerned adult may help a youngster successfully overcome
a crisis and develop more effective coping skills, often preventing further problems.
The key is change;
it is important to watch for any significant changes in your child's physical appearance,
personality, attitude or behavior.
Physical Signs
- Loss
of appetite, increase in appetite, any changes in eating habits, unexplained weight
loss or gain.
- Slowed
or staggering walk; poor physical coordination.
- Inability
to sleep, awake at unusual times, unusual laziness.
- Red,
watery eyes; pupils larger or smaller than usual; blank stare.
- Cold,
sweaty palms; shaking hands.
- Puffy
face, blushing or paleness.
- Smell
of substance on breath, body or clothes.
- Extreme
hyperactivity; excessive talkativeness.
- Runny
nose; hacking cough.
- Needle
marks on lower arm, leg or bottom of feet.
- Nausea,
vomiting or excessive sweating.
- Tremors
or shakes of hands, feet or head.
- Irregular
heartbeat.
Behavioral Signs
- Change
in overall attitude/personality with no other identifiable cause.
- Changes
in friends; new hang-outs; sudden avoidance of old crowd; doesn't want to talk about
new friends; friends are known drug users.
- Change
in activities or hobbies.
- Drop
in grades at school or performance at work; skips school or is late for school.
- Change
in habits at home; loss of interest in family and family activities.
- Difficulty
in paying attention; forgetfulness.
- General
lack of motivation, energy, self-esteem, "I don't care" attitude.
- Sudden
oversensitivity, temper tantrums, or resentful behavior.
- Moodiness,
irritability, or nervousness.
- Silliness
or giddiness.
- Paranoia
- Excessive
need for privacy; unreachable.
- Secretive
or suspicious behavior.
- Car
accidents.
- Chronic
dishonesty.
- Unexplained
need for money, stealing money or items.
- Change
in personal grooming habits.
- Possession
of drug paraphernalia.
Alcohol Use Specific Symptoms: Clumsiness; difficulty walking; slurred speech; sleepiness;
poor judgment; dilated pupils; possession of a false ID card.
Reprinted from American
Council for Drug Education
What Should
I Do?
Even when you see many of the signs and symptoms, this
does not necessarily mean that your child has a substance abuse problem.
These signs may be indicators of other problems such as possible chronic
illness or other health problems, peer adjustment, depression, allergies, eating
disorder, hyperactivity, or teenage aggression.
Remember that many of these signs or symptoms may also be symptoms within
the context of your individual adolescent's personality and current lifestyle.
When discussing your findings with your child, it is
not necessary to make a conclusion about the behavior.
More importantly, talk to your child or to the health professional about
exactly
what you are seeing and the concern it is causing you as a parent.
Other resources:
Alcohol and Drug Council of North Carolina
3500 Westgate Drive, Suite 204
Durham, NC 27707
1-800-688-4232
www.alcoholdrughelp.org Information and Referral Service
www.family.samhsa.gov Alcohol information
for parents/adult providers
www.thecoolspot.gov Alcohol information
aimed at middle school-aged teens
http://www.alcoholfreechildren.org
Initiative to prevent the use of alcohol by children ages 9 to 15
www.dontserveteens.gov
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