I think my kid is using

If you think your child is using, here are 5 steps recommended:

Ask

Look for signs:

Learn the risk factors that may make your child especially vulnerable Learn why teens use Parents need to know

1. First Step: Ask

• Plan your conversation

Friends, call a teacher, coach and communicate concerns

• Know what you are going to ask

It can be easier to start by talking about friends Learn what they know/think they know

• Find the right time to ask

When you can really talk, not “on the run”

If you think your child might be using, the first step to take is to ask them. This may not be an easy conversation, but it is an important one. In the same way that you would prepare for a job interview, or a presentation at work, you need to prepare for it.

Call teachers, friends and coaches to see if they are also noticing the issues that are causing you concern.

But most of all, prepare to communicate concern and support; this should not be a “gotcha” situation. While it is important to set and maintain rules against substance use, if you think your child is using you need to let them know that you care about them and this is a health issue.

Find the right time to ask and minimize distractions.

Know what you’re going to ask- you may start off by talking about whether they think kids are using at school; whether their friends are using; and finally whether they have used or are using.

2. look for signs and symptoms

Signs of use /abuse

Behavioral issues

Personal appearance

Personal habits

Home, car related issues

Health issues

School or work related issues

Next, look for signs and symptoms that indicate your child may be using.

They may include behavioral issues-especially challenging or difficult behavior; changes in personal appearance, habits, and health issues; are having problems at school, work or the law.

It can be hard to tell the difference between signs of use and normal teen behavior. The keys to look for are multiple changes, or the suddenness of changes. Trust your instincts, and be aware of the risk factors.

Clues in behavioral issues:

Change in relationships with family members or friends

Loss of inhibitions

Mood changes or emotional instability

Loud obnoxious behavior

Laughing at nothing’

Unusually clumsy, stumbling, lack of coordination, poor balance

Sullen, withdrawn, depressed

Unusually tired

Silent uncommunicative

Hostile, angry, uncooperative

Deceitful or secretive

Makes endless excuses

Decreased motivation

Lethargic

Unable to speak intelligibly, slurred speech, or rapid- fire speech

Inability to focus

Hyperactive

Unusually elated

Periods of sleeplessness or high energy, followed by long periods of “catch up” sleep.

3. Learn risk factor

In our lives we analyze and respond to risks every day. For example, if we are driving during bad weather the risk of an accident is greater so we slow down.

As caring adults and parents we need to look at the risk our kids face and determine how to react to them. There are factors that may be present in your child’s life that increase their chances of either becoming involved with drugs/alcohol or, one involved, increase their chances of getting in serious trouble with them. It should be emphasized that these factors are not predictors, but are indications of greater vulnerability.

Risk factors can be: individual risk factors; peer factors; family factors; school factos; and community factors. The important point is that parents can take action to help their kids deal with all of these risk factors.

Risk Factors:

Begins drinking or using drugs at early age (10-12)

Teen’s thinking that drinking and/or drug use isn’t harmful

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Mental Health disorders such as depression, anxiety and conduct disorders

Rebelliousness, frequent breaking the rules

Unable to control impulses

Help you kids or teens develop problem-solving skills. Give them your kids/teen challenges appropriate to their age and abilities. Let them learn that it is ok to struggle and even fail sometimes. The important part is working and working hard to solve the problems that they will face.

4. Why Teens Use

Many factors and situations affect teen’s choice whether or not to use.

Fitting in

Sex

Socializing

Emotional Pain

Transitions

Peer-Pressure

Some teens use alcohol or drugs to dull the pain in their lives. When they’re given a chance to take something to make them temporarily feel better many can’t resist.

Teens drink or use drugs to check out from problems or issues with schools. Poor grades may lead to family problems and vice/versa in an unfortunate cycle that leads many teens to turn to drugs or alcohol.

Loneliness, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety disorder and other mental health issues lead many teens to drugs. Furthermore many of these issues occur in combinations each compounding the intensity of the others.

Teens turn to drugs to deal with pressures of everyday teen drama. Like jealousy, fighting, gossip. These features of teenage life can become too much for the kids who haven’t learned how to cope with difficult social situations.

What parents can do!

If you notice extreme and lasting changes in mood behavior, grades, attention span, etc. take your teen for a professional health assessment to find out what’s causing the problem.

Don’t tell yourself “it’s just a phase” .If your teenager seems depressed or not take him/her to a doctor or therapist.

5. Need to Know

Dispels myths and misperceptions some parents have about teen drug and alcohol abuse such as:

“Teens drinking are no big deal” Just ask an emergency room doctor,= who sees the results

“They’re just experimenting” Even first time use can lead to accidents, injury and death.

“ I would know if my kids are using” Teens put a great deal of energy into concealing drug and alcohol use. From gum (to mask the breath) to specially bought containers that look like household items ( to conceal drugs) teenagers are a never ending source of ingenuity when it comes to hiding drug use.

Don’t panic you can do this.

If you suspect or know your child is using drugs or alcohol it is important to take action right away. You have already taken an important step just by reading and getting more information.