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help for parents: is your child using drugs?

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The mood swings and unpredictable behavior of the teen years often make it hard to tell if a child is using drugs — but there are warning signs you can watch out for. 

If your child exhibits one or more of the following behaviors or moods, drugs may have become a part of his or her life: 

• She's withdrawn, depressed, tired, or careless about her personal grooming.
  
• He's hostile, uncooperative, and frequently breaks curfews.
  
• Her relationships with family members have deteriorated.
  
• He's hanging around with a new group of friends.
  
• Her grades have slipped, and her school attendance is irregular.
  
• He's lost interest in hobbies, sports, and other favorite activities.
  
• Her eating and sleeping patterns have changed, she's up at night and sleeps during the day.
  
• He has a hard time concentrating.
  
• Her eyes are red-rimmed and her nose is runny – but she doesn't have allergies or a cold.
  
• Household money has been disappearing.
  
• You have found any of the following in your home: pipes, rolling papers, small medicine bottles, eye drops, butane lighters, homemade pipes, or bongs (pipes that use water as a filter) made from soda cans or plastic beverage containers.

(Source: Partnership for a Drug-Free America, www.drugfreeamerica.org)

What to do

Some of the signs above, such as depression or decline in school performance, might be explained by other causes. When in doubt, get help. See your family doctor or local clinic to rule out illness or other physical problems. If you suspect your child is having problems with alcohol or drugs, it is important that you face the problem promptly and get whatever help is needed to stop your child's use.