HOW CAN I TELL IF MY CHILD IS ABUSING DRUGS?

When children use drugs, most of the time, they show many different signs, which parents need to be aware of. No one symptom is a definite sign. Often parents are confused with a teen�s normal behavior and a sign of possible drug abuse but there are quite a few signs that can be recognized. Regrettably, many parents often disregard these signs as normal teenage behavior and as a consequence they don't notice that their kids are using drugs. Parents have to keep in mind that every child is in danger of drug abuse. If you notice a number of signs of drug use, you should talk about your concerns with your child.

• What to look for:
• Friends: You have to take a close look at your child�s friends. Friends are more important than ever during the teen years. Because the influence of friends is so great, the wrong friends can affect your teen terribly such as convincing your teen to become involved in drugs, alcohol abuse, and tobacco use.
  Parents need to be aware of what's happening to their child at school and with friends. If your child is hanging out with a new group of young people lately, be aware of these new friends and the influence on your child.
  It is a good idea to make your home open and available to your teen and his friends often so you can have an idea who your child�s friends are.
• Changes in behavior: Be aware of your child�s mood change. Does he/she seem very happy one day and depressed the next day? Are there constant emotion swings? Does he/she act unfriendly and distant? Has your child lost interest in his/her previous activities and hobbies? Does he want to be alone and isolate himself from family? Has your child developed a violent side? Does he suddenly burst of anger?
• Changes in physical appearance: Do your son's or daughter's eyes look funny? Are they red all the time? Glazed? Puffy? Are the pupils real large or real small? If so, there's a real good chance your child is using drugs.
• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns: Does your child sleep at inappropriate times? Does he/she sleep way too much or way too little? Does he stay up too late or even all night and refuse getting up in the morning at a certain time?
  Does he/she eat way too much or way too little? Has your child lost weight?
• Change in school performance: Does your child skip class? Has he lost interest in doing his/her homework and assignments? Have your child's grades lowered? Does he seem to have a lack of motivation in school? Does he/she have discipline and behavioral problems in school?
• Excessive money spending or money disappearing: Drugs cost money. If your child keeps coming to you needing money, or if money keeps coming up missing from your purse or your wallet, you need to have a serious talk with your child. Especially if they always seem to need 20 dollars or 50 dollars -- round amounts -- since that is often the price drugs cost.

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