POTENTIAL SIGNS OF DRUG OR ALCOHOL USE/ABUSE
Please note that even though some of these signs may be present, it does not mean that they are definitely abusing drugs.
Children, especially adolescents, give off many of these signals when they are distressed in other ways, too. Even "just being a teenager" is a valid reason for many of them to exist.
AT HOME
- Loss of Interest in Family Activities
- Disrespect for Family Rules
- Withdrawal from Responsibilities
- Verbally or Physically Abusive
- Sudden Increase or Decrease in Appetite
- Disappearance of Valuable Items or Money
- Not Coming Home on Time
- Withdrawal from the Family
- More Combativeness at Home
- Not Telling You Where They Are Going
- Constant Excuses for Behaviour
- Spending a Lot of Time in Their Rooms
- Increased Secretiveness
- Lies About Activities
- Finding the following: Cigarette Rolling Papers, Pipes, Roach Clips, Small Glass Vials, Plastic Baggies, Remnants of Drugs (Seeds, Etc.)
AT SCHOOL
- A Drop in Grades
- Increased Truancy and Tardiness to Classes
- Loss of Interest in Learning
- Poor Work Performance
- Not Doing Homework
- Behavior Problems in School
- Defiant of Authority
- Poor Attitude Towards Sports or Other Extracurricular Activities
- Reduced Memory and Attention Span
- Sleeping in Class
- Not Informing You of Teacher Meetings, Open Houses, etc.
PHYSICAL / EMOTIONAL
- Dropping Old Friends and a Sudden Influence of a New Crowd
- Smell of Alcohol or Marijuana on Breath or Body
- Personality Changes - was once outgoing is now withdrawn, or is usually relaxed is now fidgety
- Sudden Mood Changes - Euphoria followed By Tenseness or Edginess
- Negative, Argumentative, Paranoid or Confused, Destructive, Anxious
- Loss of Interest in Activities Once Enjoyed
- Over-Reacts to Criticism - Acts Rebellious
- Sharing Few If Any of Their Personal Problems
- Increased Forgetfulness
- Doesn't Seem as Happy as they used to be
- Appearing Listless or Hung Over
- Overly Tired or Hyperactive
- Drastic Weight Loss or Gain
- Unhappy and Depressed
- Cheats, Steals
- Red Eyes
- Always Needs Money, or has Excessive Amounts of Money
- Sloppiness in Appearence
Return to our Parents Place
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Return to our Parents Place
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ADDITIONAL HELPFUL LINKS
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A FEW OF OUR PRODUCTS FOR PARENTS
We recommend our Recognizing Drugs course for all concerned parents.
TOXCUP URINE DRUG SCREEN
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ALCOSCREEN SALIVA ALCOHOL TEST
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ORATECT SALIVA DRUG SCREEN
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SEE OUR PRODUCTS PAGE FOR THE FULL SELECTION OF QUALITY PRODUCTS WE OFFER FOR HOME USE
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- 80% of high school seniors have used alcohol; in comparison, 62% have smoked cigarettes; 49% have used marijuana; and 9% have used cocaine
- First use of alcohol typically begins around the age 13; marijuana around 14
- A clear relationship exists between alcohol use and grade-point average among college students: students with GPAs of D or F drink three times as much as those who earn A's
Source: National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
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