Resources for Parents

 

 

Problem Signs of Drug and Alcohol Usage

Should You Be Concerned?

Most parents of substance abusing teens report that they were unaware of the behavior for at least two years.



Open Minds See the Signs

If you answer yes to any of the questions below, your child may be at risk of becoming harmfully involved in drugs and alcohol, if they are not already actively using. For more information on teenage substance abuse and treatment, please contact a treatment provider



Is Your Child...

Frequently tardy or truant from school?

Losing motivation, energy, and self-discipline?

Losing interest in activities and hobbies?

Increasingly forgetful - short or long term?

Having trouble paying attention and concentrating?

Expressing anger, hostility or irritability?

Sullen with uncaring attitudes and behavior?

Argumentative with you and/or siblings?

Unable to explain extra money or "new" items they have?

Experiencing unusual mood swings?

Dropping old friends and secretive about new ones?

Unhealthy in appearance, e.g. bloodshot eyes?

Inattentive about personal grooming?

In trouble with the law, in or out of school?

Eating much more or much less than usual?

Occupied with drug-related graphics and slogans?
 

In possession of pipes, small boxes, baggies, rolling papers, empty aerosol cans, etc?
 

Information provided by Pathway Family Center

http://www.pathwayfamilycenter.org/


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Facts About Common Drugs

Alcohol (Beer, Wine, Liquor)

Physical Symptoms: Intoxication, slurred speech, unsteady walk, impaired coordination, slowed reflexes, lowered inhibitions


Look For: Smell of alcohol on clothes or breath, intoxicated behavior, hangover, glazed eyes, bottles, cans or flasks or water bottles containing liquid other than water

Dangers: Accidents due to impaired ability and judgement, heart and liver damage, addiction




Cocaine or Amphetamines (speed, uppers, meth, coke, rock, crack, crank,
crystal, ecstasy)

Physical Symptoms: Dilated pupils, restlessness, elevated blood pressure and heart rate, brief euphoria, talkativeness, feeling of well-being followed by depression, loss of appetite, nervousness

Look for: Glass vials, razor blades, straws, glass pipes, white crystalline powder, syringes, needle marks

Dangers: Severe depression, paranoia, heart attack, seizures, lung damage, addiction




Hallucinogens (acid, LSD, PCP, mushrooms)

Physical Symptoms: Altered mood, anxiety, panic, nausea, slurred speech, blurred vision, lack of coordination

Look For: Capsules, tablets, "micro dots", blotter squares, tin foil, dried mushrooms, dilated pupils, hallucinations, disorientation, mood swings, nausea

Dangers: Unpredictable behavior, emotional instability, violent behavior




Inhalants (gas, aerosols, glue, nitrates, correction fluid, paint,computer duster)

Physical Symptoms: Nausea, dizziness, headaches, poor motor coordination and lack of control, bad breath, impaired vision, violent behavior, memory and thought problems

Look For: Cleaning rags, empty spray cans like whipped cream or paint cans, tubes of glue, baggies, small bottles, socks saturated with substance

Dangers: Unconsciousness, suffocation, nausea and vomiting, damage to brain and central nervous system, sudden death

Marijuana (pot, dope, weed, herb, grass, hash, joint, blunt)

Physical symptoms: Altered perceptions, red eyes, dry mouth, sweet burnt odor, neglect of appearance, loss of motivatiohn, slow reactions, memory lapses, euphoria, laughing, hunger

Look For: Rolling papers, pipes, dried plant material (dark green or brown), roach clips, baggies, incense

Dangers: Anxiety, loss of motivation, impaired short term memory and learning, slowed thinking, addiction

Opiods (heroin, morphine, codeine, Lortab, Oxycontin, Vicodin)

Physical Symptoms: Euphoria, drowsiness, insensitivity to pain, nausea, vomiting, watery eyes, runny nose, lethargy

Look For: Needle marks, needles, syringes, spoons, pipes, pinpoint pupils, cold moist skin

Dangers: Lethargy, weight loss, AIDS, Hepatitis, accidental overdose, addiction


Tobacco (smokes, butts, cigs, snuff, dip, chew, plug)

Physical Symptoms: shortness of breath, odor of cigarette smoke, discolored teeth or fingers

Look For: Rolling papers, pipes, spit cups, lighters, matches, cigarettes

Dangers: Respiratory illness and oral, lung or other cancers, addiction

Tranquilizers (Valium, Xanax, Ativan)

Physical Symptoms: Depressed breathing and heartbeat, intoxication, drowsiness, uncoordinated movements

Look For: Capsules and tablets, longer periods of sleep, pill bottles

Dangers: Muscle rigidity, withdrawal and overdose requiring medical attention especially if using alcohol, addiction

                         Information provided courtesy of Fairbanks

                                      www.fairbankscd.org




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Web Links

http://www.theantidrug.com/  - Parents, the Anti-drug. En Espanol http://www.laantidroga.com/

http://www.mediacampaign.org/  - National Youth Anti-drug Media Campaign

http://www.inhalants.org/  - National Inhalant Prevention Coalition

http://www.jointogether.org/home/  - Join Together Online

http://www.nida.nih.gov/  - National Institute on Drug Abuse

http://www.marijuana-info.org/  - Information on Marijuana