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Warning Signs of Adolescent Alcohol/Drug Use
This
is a list of signs that may indicate the involvement of teens with alcohol
and/or drug use. This list was compiled by a group of teenagers and young adults
when asked the question, "What would you tell your parents to look for if they
suspected that you were using drugs or alcohol?".
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Isolation
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Excessive use of eye drops (Visine)
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Looking/dressing/acting older than biological age
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Lies
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Use of breath mints or sprays
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Easy to anger/quick tempered
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Breaking curfew
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Stealing
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Injuries to self (carving on arms, hands, legs, chest or cigarette burns on
lower arms)
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Demands for money and not explaining how the money is to be used.
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Loss of appetite-unexplained weight loss
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Clothing that has a smell of marijuana
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Clothing or breath that has the smell of paint, thinner, or gasoline
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Morning sickness
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Excessive sleep/hard to rouse in the morning
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Dilated pupils
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Munchies-eating food that makes noise (celery, tortilla chips, etc…)
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Putting water in parents bottle of alcohol
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Drop in grades
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Skipping school
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Dropping activities that were enjoyed (sports, band, clubs, etc…)
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Blaming others for problems
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Preoccupation with death
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Suicidal statements, "You would be better off without me"
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Poor personal hygiene and appearance
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Looks sickly
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Changes peer group and is secretive about new group and activities
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Glorifying drug using musical groups
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Wearing drug/alcohol items of clothing or jewelry, (beer t-shirts, pot leaves
on shirts, marijuana jewelry, hemp bracelets)
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Possession of drug paraphernalia
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Possession of drugs or alcohol
Helpful Hints for Parents Who Discover Their
Teenager is Using Drugs or Alcohol
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Do not threaten or make
ultimatums. Think thorough what you say and do. Is it realistic? Can you
follow through? Will you follow through? What will be the impact on other
family members?
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Do not lose your temper,
rant, rave, or lose control. It temporarily make you feel better to let out
your feelings of frustration and anger, however, it does not help the long
term situation. Also, it does not model good self-control to the child.
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Do not ask "why"
questions. Questions like "Why did you use drugs?" are often blaming/shaming
questions. Another blaming question would be, "How could you do this to your
mother and me (father and me)?".
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Do not use sarcasm,
ridicule, or make other remarks that may shame or embarrass the child. This
only perpetuates resentments and often results in later passive-aggressive
behavior by the child.
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Set boundaries that are
reasonable (to promote appropriate behavior) and have consistent family rules.
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Follow through with the
consequences if boundaries and family rules are violated.
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Get involved. Participate
in your children's lives, directing them towards positive activities. Ask who,
what, when, and where when the adolescent is going out. Know who your child's
friends are, what your child is doing, when he/she will be home, and where
they are going.
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Communicate your concern
and feelings (fear, worry, love, etc…) without controlling, lecturing, or
trying to inflict guilt.
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Set time aside to spend
with your adolescent. Eat dinner together, listen to music, watch a ball game,
do chores together.
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A parent/guardian is the
child's most important role model. They notice everything you do. Commit
yourself to a drug-free lifestyle.
-
The hours after school,
between 3 and 6 p.m., are when a lot of children get into trouble. During
summer months, kids have even more free time on their hands. Try to be with
your kids, but if that's not possible, make sure your child is occupied with
an adult around: sports, jobs, clubs, after-school programs or religious
groups.
-
Sometimes it can be as simple as letting your children know that you do not
want them using drugs or alcohol. This can be more effective if you begin
talking to them about your concerns before they get to an age where drugs and
alcohol are more accessible.
Potential
Drug and Alcohol Hiding Places for Teenagers
In Bedrooms in:
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35mm film canisters
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pockets of clothing in closets/drawers
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wall and ceiling light fixtures
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air conditioner/heating vents
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light switches
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electrical sockets
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record albums and cassette tapes
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curtains
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trophies
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bed posts
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furniture upholstery
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knife handles
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the closet, taped to the wall, above the door
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bottoms of dresser drawers
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baseboards (behind them)
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T.V. sets
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VCR's
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pop cans- screw bottom or top
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hollowed out books
In vehicles in:
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dome lights
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under spare tires
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inside hub caps
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air conditioner vents
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headrests (in or under them)
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inside the window washer container
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ashtrays (in, under, or behind it)
On their person in:
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lipstick tubes
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mouths (crack cocaine)
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wallets, behind photos
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lining of clothing
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fingers of gloves
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pants (down the front)
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tampon cases
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super glue cases
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purse lining
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eye glasses cleaner
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inside ball point pens
Warning Signs of Teen / Adolescent Alcohol / Drug Use
Reference: Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration National Mental Health Information Center
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Information
Pages
HIPAA Privacy Notice
Child Behavior
Bipolar Disorder in Children
Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Child Anger
Depression in Children and Adolescents
ADHD
Conduct Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Alcoholism - FAQ's
Warning Signs of Teen Problems
Teen Drug & Alcohol Abuse
Teen Depression
Teen Suicide
Personality Disorders
Negley Award Information
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