Early Warning Signs: Drug/Alcohol Abuse

At some point, most young people will experiment with drugs or alcohol.  Some will have a physical predisposition to addiction which will have to be dealt with differently than those who occasionally use these substances. The earlier you can recognize some of the subtle changes in your child that indicate attitude and behavioral changes, the sooner you can intervene, and the easier it will be to head off trouble.

Few actually become addicted, but even experimentation can have tragic results, especially when driving is concerned. Furnishing alcohol for teens is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500, and 6 months in jail. Civil liability can also be an issue if any injuries result. Providing illegal substances for teens fosters disregard for the law.

What To Look For:
No one indicator by itself is a sure sign of a developing problem, and some kids who start using drugs or alcohol may continue to keep up good grades. But a combination of common indicators may clue you in that it is time to talk about drug and alcohol use.

• Unusual listlessness or restlessness.
• The presence of drug paraphernalia.
• A sudden resistance to following rules at home or in school.
• A sudden decline in attendance or performance at school or work.
• A loss of interest in usual activities, such as sports, clubs, church, etc.
• Sneaking out at night.
• A change in friends.
• Reluctance to discuss new friends.
• Secretive behavior.
• Loss of initiative.
• Changes in sleep patterns, appetite, attitude.
• Blood shot eyes, or using lots of eye drops.

ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS

If your teen is arrested for possession of alcohol, chances are it is NOT the first time he has been drinking.
Be on the lookout for:

• The smell of alcohol on breath or clothing.
• Unusually heavy scent of cologne or mouth wash.
• Finding a fake ID card or driver's license.
• A child who needs more money than usual.
• A child whose friends use alcohol or drugs.
• Alcohol missing from your home.
• Frequent physical illnesses
• Problem drinkers or drug users in the immediate or extended family.

INHALANTS

This is breathing in fumes that may cause a "high". These chemical substances are poisonous and using them may have tragic consequences.
Be on the lookout for:
Clothes that smell of gasoline.
Empty tubes of model glue in their room or in the trash.
Empty aerosol cans.
Asthma inhalers when you child doesn't have asthma.

SELLING DRUGS

Be on the lookout for:

• Sudden increase in popularity.
• Kids you've never seen before showing up at your house and not staying for long.
• He has more money than you would expect, or purchases more than he ought to be able to buy.

TOBACCO USE

Be on the lookout for:

• Clothes or breath that smell like tobacco.
• Smell of tobacco in bedroom or bathroom.
• Cigarettes found in book packs, pockets, under the mattress, etc.
• Friends who smoke.
• Yellow-stained fingers.

CLUB DRUGS:

"Club Drugs" or "Designer Drugs" have increased in popularity in recent years. Typically these substances were taken at all-night dance parties called "raves", but are being used/abused out of that context as well. The use of these substances can cause serious health problems, particularly when used in combination with other drugs or alcohol. Many youth feel these drugs are "safe". This is partly due to lack of knowledge about some of the negative effects of these drugs, since they are relatively new.

• GBH (gamma Hydroxybutyrate): Sedative, relieve anxiety. Made in home labs from Internet recipes, resulting in unknown strength and purity. Can depress heart rate and breathing to dangerous levels.
• Ketamine: Anesthetic used by veterinarians. Produces hallucinations. Impairs attention, learning ability and memory. Can cause delirium, amnesia, depression, fatal respiratory problems.
• LSD: Hallucinogenic. Produces delusions. Can experience terrifying thoughts; can have flashbacks. Chronic use can cause schizophrenia or severe depression.
• Rohypnol: "Date Rape Drug". Legal in other countries as a sedative. Use can cause dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, visual disturbances, lowered blood pressure.
• Methamphetamine: Stimulant. Potent, toxic, highly addictive. Produced in home labs resulting in unknown strength and purity. Abuse causes erratic or violent behavior, increased nervousness, irritability, memory loss, paranoia.

WHAT TO DO:

• Educate yourself.
• Discuss your observations in an open, non-confrontive manner. If you child gets angry or defensive, remain calm. Perhaps postpone your discussion for a later time.
• Share your honest concern about your child's health and safety.
• Discuss the risks of alcohol or other drug use, i.e. may lead to addiction, the use of more dangerous drugs, exposure to hepatitis or HIV, arrest, death, etc.
• Model responsible behavior.
• Be clear and consistent about expectations and consequences regarding alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.
• Make your child's time with friends dependent upon good performance in school or at home.
• Remove all guns from your home, or lock them securely.
• Set goals and incentives for "no use" with your kids. Have them help decide on appropriate rewards.

THE NEXT STEP:
If you child has been arrested for possession of alcohol, has been obviously intoxicated or high on drugs, or admits to drug or alcohol use but refuses to discuss the issue or reconsider use, it is probably time to consult a professional. The school counselor might be a good place to start, or find a counselor or agency that specializes in the treatment of chemical dependency.

—From the Editors of DriverEducation.com