Adolescent Substance Abuse
Warning Signs and Symptoms
If you think your child may be using or abusing alcohol or drugs, or if you aren’t sure, the following checklist of teen behavior may help.
|
School |
Family |
Social |
|
Drop in grades |
Drops old friends without reason |
Lack of involvement with family |
|
School misbehavior |
Breaking family rules |
Lack of interest in activities/hobbies |
|
Late for school/class |
Defiant and oppositional |
Spends lots of time alone |
|
Truancy |
Staying out all night |
New friends |
|
Low motivation for success |
Runaway |
In general, parents should watch for behavior change that occurs over the period of one semester of school.
- A student with grades in the A-B-C range who produces grades in the C and D range is having some sort of problem that may include the abuse of alcohol and other drugs.
- When you begin to receive calls from school that your student is chronically late for first period, is cutting classes after lunch, or is truant the entire day--a problem is occurring in your teen’s life that may include the abuse of alcohol and other drugs.
- If your child has dropped old friends without explanation--your child may have a problem that he/she is unwilling to discuss with you and it may include alcohol and other drug use and abuse.
Physical appearance and behavior may include:
- Pale and drawn, vomiting, red puffy eyes, developing a poor complexion
- Increased irritability, won’t get up in the morning, stays up all night, excessively sniffing, and has physical injuries or "accidents"
Legal problems at school or in the community:
- Suspension or expulsion from school
- Arrested for possession of alcohol or other drugs
- Arrested for DUI or drunk in public
- Involved in petty theft or vandalism
The above checklist should not be used as the final answer to your concerns for your child. Many of the symptoms and behaviors listed above will also be present when a child is depressed due to problems within the family, such as divorce, physical or sexual abuse, and so forth.
What Do You Do Now?
1. The first step is always recognition. Being aware that your adolescent is struggling is the first painful step in the solution.
2. Next, educate yourself about issues facing adolescents.
3. Seek professional guidance.
4. Have your child assessed by a trained professional.
5. Seek help for yourself through counseling or self-help programs such as Alanon.
6. Give yourself a pat-on-the-back for your courage rather than sinking into guilt or self recrimination about what your "should have done."
7. Avoid shame by connecting with other parents who are also seeking help.
8. Notice what your child does right rather than what your child does wrong.
© Dale Kay Lillak, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 408.260.9995.
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