Parent’s Guide to the possible signs that your child may be using drugs

Let’s face it and be honest, teenagers can be moody and difficult at times. It is part of their ‘growing up’ process.

Yet as grandparents, parents or guardians, it is wise to be alert that there could also other signs that are not just part of your child growing up, but more to do with their possible alcohol or drug abuse. And it is likely that they could be hiding this from you.

It may be that their abuse of drugs or alcohol is at the heart of, if not the real cause of their moody difficult behaviour

These are some signs you may want to look out for;

• Hostile and uncooperative behaviour towards you or other family members or friends
• Withdrawn, depressed and disinterested in the family
• Breakdown of relationships and friendships
• Making a new group of friends, no longer interested in school or school work
• Lack of concentration, motivation and a drop in performance at school
• No longer interested in sport, games or previous hobbies and pastimes
• A noticeable change in their sleeping patterns and eating habits
• Lack of interest in personal hygiene
• Eyes are red rimmed, or a runny nose with no evidence of a cold
• Money disappearing from your purse or from the house
• More specific clues to look out for:
• Pipes
• butane lighters
• roll your own cigarette papers
• homemade pipes and bongs that use water as a filter and which are made from plastic drinks containers

Excuses or reasons which your child may use to justify their behaviour

• Well, all my friends do it
• It’s only booze, chill out, at least it’s not pot
• It’s only a soft drug, I don’t do hard drugs
• I just tried it once at a party
• It’s what all teenagers do
• I’ve got an allergy, that’s why my eyes are bothering me
• That smell is my new joystick, what’s your problem
• I’m just tired just back off and leave me alone
• It’s cool to wear sunglasses even indoors
• Well at least I don’t drink and drive
• If you think I am bad- just look at what my friends do
• It’s a different world today, its not like when you were young
• Anyway, my mates made me do it
• Whatever……..
  
  Some suggestions;

Whether you are a single parent or whether both parents are together - if you suspects your child may be using drugs – try to avoid outright accusations and confrontations.

Always make sure your child knows that you love them and talk frequently to them

Talk to them when they are not drunk or high but when the atmosphere is calm, not when they have just come in smelling of cigarettes or alcohol

Try and find the time to talk to them openly so they can respond to you without fear of a big row, fear of rejection or ‘wait till your father gets home syndrome’.

Explain that their well being is important to you

Try to find out what might be happening in your child’s social or emotional life that might have prompted them to use drugs or alcohol

Try and get involved in your child’s life by asking what is happening in and out of school

Discuss the best way for them to avoid alcohol and drug abuse

Show you love them by being supportive but firm. Explain that you have rules and boundaries and although you hate him or her using any drugs or alcohol, you still love your child, but it could destroy trust between you.

IF YOU ENCOUNTER CONSISTENT RELUCTANCE TO TALK, YOU MAY NEED TO APPROACH THE SCHOOL, YOUR DOCTOR OR A CHILD COUNSELLOR

AVOID HOPING THAT ‘IT WILL ALL GO AWAY’ – IT MAY NOT.

BY ACTING EARLY, YOU MAY SAVE YOUR CHILD’S LIFE IN THE LONG RUN………………..

NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP FOR YOURSELF OR YOUR CHILD

DENIAL WILL ONLY MAKE THINGS WORSE WHEREAS COMMUNICATION MAY BRING RESULTS

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