Did you know that over 75% of teens aged 16-17 report that obtaining marijuana is "easy or fairly easy?" Or that 25% of youths between 12 and 17 say the same of crack?
When children start using drugs they usually exhibit many different signs that parents need to watch out for. Unfortunately, many parents often write-off these signs as normal adolescent behavior and as a result they don't realize that their child is into drugs until it is too late. How can you as a parent know for sure whether or not your child is in danger of falling into drugs? Know that every child is in danger of this. Parents who fail to recognize this will stay in this state of denial till their son or daughter is arrested or overdoses -- and by then it is too late. So what should you as parents be looking for as signs that your child is experimenting with drugs or alcohol?
* Dramatic changes in attitude or personality.
* New friends who may exert peer pressure on your child.
* Problems at school, such as falling grades or increased tardiness.
* Increased withdrawal, depression, or secretiveness.
* Changes in sleep patterns.
* Increased or decreased appetite.
* Dilated, red, or glossy eyes.
* Escalating verbal or physical abuse. * Dramatic mood swings.
* Need for additional money.
Drug use can lead to a host of significant health, social, learning and behavioral problems at a crucial time in a young person's development. Getting high also impairs judgment, leading to risky decision making on issues like sex, criminal activity or riding with someone who is driving high.
If you believe that your child may be using alcohol or drugs, don't overreact. Some of the warning signs listed above may be normal for your teen and some signs may have other causes. One cannot ignore the reality of teenage drug and alcohol abuse, however, so the presence of three or more of these warning signs should prompt a discussion with your teen and an evaluation of whether professional help is needed. For more advice, or to locate the right treatment facility for you, contact your pediatrician or call the Center for Substance Abuse Referral Help line at 1-800-662-HELP.
Nicole Brownfield
I hope you found this article both informative and enjoyable. Please feel free to contact me with questions or comments at: jnb8788@aol.com
You have just received a call from your child's teacher... Read More
I remember when my daughter was born, later my son.... Read More
Few things are more completely enjoyable than becoming a grandparent.... Read More
Q. With another school year starting, we are not sure... Read More
You're trying to catch up on some sleep on a... Read More
Maintain CommunicationEven though teens need to separate from their parents... Read More
For most children, it is easy to learn to read... Read More
Do you know what these famous people have in common?Alexander... Read More
Q. Things have been relatively calm and OK with our... Read More
One of parents' most important duties is to protect their... Read More
It's the third time this week that Sam has complained... Read More
On one of her quarterly visits to see her grandson,... Read More
As a parent your biggest responsibility is to prepare your... Read More
To have reasonable expectations of our children is an important... Read More
What should the goals for counseling be when the patient... Read More
How do we deal with our seriously distressed children and... Read More
Quite simply, an absolute nightmare for parents and babies alike,... Read More
"Family Matters" was the headline that caught my attention in... Read More
Ritalin has been shown through the years to be very... Read More
the woes of being a parent of an ADHD child.....Like... Read More
The least flexible character in all of the stories of... Read More
Why do some children still do best after divorce and... Read More
Single parents are not often thought of as good parents.I... Read More
For the most positive daycare experience for your child, partner... Read More
One of the most prevalent problems of the computer age... Read More
express cleaning service Des Plaines ..This may come as a surprise, but many parents are... Read More
If you are like most people today, you do not... Read More
Q. My daughter is a junior in high school and... Read More
Child Party Planning Guideline #1)Pick the ThemeYour child is going... Read More
Parents, do you have children who do poorly in school,... Read More
Although it might seem pretty corny to a lot of... Read More
What Children Look for in a Friend?Is this child fun... Read More
I thought I was the only one in the world... Read More
At age seven months in the womb, humans begin language... Read More
The teenage years are a crucial time in a child's... Read More
O.K. So now you have taken the step of having... Read More
My son is 6 yrs old. He came home the... Read More
Teenagers are a work-in-progress, and parenting teenagers can be tricky... Read More
Summertime means insect bites and stings. Ouch! Take a leaf... Read More
The hot new reality TV show "Nanny 911" has been... Read More
Many of us have grown up drinking caffeinated diet sodas... Read More
Q: Whenever we tell my daughter "no," she just bugs... Read More
Every parent wants their child to develop positive character traits.... Read More
Levels of SafetyBy teaching our children there are different levels... Read More
A friend phoned her neighbor, complaining about the wafts of... Read More
Although many children are picky eaters at some stage in... Read More
Are you a frustrated parent who sometimes finds it is... Read More
Just the other day my oldest son asked:"Daddy, am I... Read More
Very often, new parents rely on a parenting tip or... Read More
Researching career education uncovered the following shocking statistic: The average... Read More
Parenting |