Last weekend I spoke at a SAFE STREETS event for parents who are struggling with their teenage children using drugs. There are so many questions, doubts and fears that go through the minds of parents when they suspect, and even more when they KNOW, that their children are using drugs.
One of the questions that was raised was “How do you know if your child is using drugs”? There are many great resources on the web regarding this question, but here are 20 questions, compiled from some of the best sources, that you can ask yourself to determine if your child is using drugs:
1. Has anyone ever told you your child is drinking or using drugs?
2. Do you know for sure that your child has ‘experimented’ with either drugs or alcohol?
3. Have you noticed that one-minute your child can be happy and giddy followed by withdrawal, depression, or fits of anger or rage?
4. Has your child suddenly developed the need for additional money, for vague or unexplained reasons?
5. Have you ever seen your child stagger or noticed any slurred speech?
6. Has your child suddenly turned away from his old friends?
7. Have you notice changes in the pupils of your child’s eyes, or redness or bloodshot eyes?
8. Is your child suddenly using breath mints consistently?
9. Has your child lost interest in tidiness in his room or does your child pay less attention to personal hygiene?
10. Has your child developed a negative attitude against anti-drug or anti-alcohol programs, materials or literature?
11. Has your child been in trouble with the law for any reason?
12. Has your child developed a bad attitude toward any authority figures in his life?
13. Have you found that your child has generally become dishonest about things?
14. Have you notice any alcoholic beverages missing or noticed anything missing from the medicine cabinet?
15. Have you found unexplained empty alcohol or solvent containers around the house or grounds?
16. Is your child smoking openly?
17. Has your child had medical conditions that might be attributed to substance abuse, such as digestive problems?
18. Has your child’s attitude toward school suddenly changed?
19. Is your child hanging out with an older group or with those that you suspect are using drugs?
20. Have you seen your child’s grades go from pretty good to very bad?
The more “YES” answers, the greater the chances that your suspicions are valid and that your child is using. If you determine that you have to address the problem and don’t know what to do one of the Rescue Mission counselors would be happy to walk you through how to address the situation. Leave a comment here on the blog or send an email to Janns@trm.org to arrange a phone appointment.
David Curry
