Drug Abuse Warning Signs Every Parent Should Know About
Parents need to be able to recognize physical, mental and behavioral changes that can occur when teens use drugs. Any child or teenager can be susceptible to the dangers of drug abuse. Parents that see the signs and confront the child to discuss the drug abuse can eliminate the behavior before addiction becomes a serious family problem. It’s important for parents to talk to the child about the behavior in order to get the most information without wasting time assuming or snooping around. Parents that are upfront and listen well are more successful than parents relying on accusations.
Extreme or sudden changes in the following are often indications of drugs:
• Sloppy appearance, hygiene
• Sudden change in weight or appetite
• Attitude
• Sleeping patterns
• Ambition, passion or interests
• Social behavior
Alcohol and drugs can be a serious problem for the family if a child or teenager gets addicted. There are so many drugs and so many different ways of consumption so it’s important to know general indications as well as specific symptoms. The better the parents know the child personally, performance in school and chief interests, the child’s friends and friends’ parents and the child’s daily routine the easier it is to tell when drugs are becoming a problem.
These shifts in the child’s personality can indicate drug use:
• Withdrawn
• Mentally detached or disinterested in life
• Confused
• Irritable
• Disrespectful
• Deceitful, cheating or stealing
• Defiance towards family members or school
• A recent decline in grades or reoccurring trouble at school,
• Overly aggressive behavior
• Poor memory or a bad attitude towards extracurricular activities
All of these things can also be indications of drug use. It’s important to talk to the child about the concerns rather than jumping to conclusions or making hasty decisions. It’s important to monitor the child’s behavior before and after having the discussion about drugs. The extreme or sudden physical changes are often the easiest indications of drug abuse.
These can all be indications for different types of teenage drug abuse:
• Poor sleeping patterns, excessive sleeping and insomnia
• Excessive sweating for inexplicable reasons
• Strange behavior
• Slurred speech
• Talking fast
• Dilated pupils
• Red eyes
• Vomiting and shaking
• Depression or hyperactivity
These are all indications of a teenager that may be abusing drugs. It’s important to talk with the child rather than assume because these attributes can all be early symptoms of a drug problem. Making the child feel comfortable to have an open and honest conversation about drugs is the east way to prevent any problems with addiction. In order to get the most honest answers, it’s important for parents to remember to ask and listen more than talk or dictate the conversation.
Author Bio
Melisa Cammack has been a freelance writer for several years, and loves to write for parenting and self-improvement blogs. She is the mother to three rapidly growing sons, one baby girl in the oven and wife to a loving husband. For those that are currently seeking information on recovery centers click to find out more on facilities and programs that are available.