Initially, experimentation with drugs and/or alcohol is not bragged about by the user. Parents are not likely to come across drug paraphernalia, joints or prescription bottles. It is only later and the user has developed a regular habit that their actions become more obvious that they become careless with their words, actions or appearance and identifying a drug problem becomes quite obvious.
Many parents avoid taking action or even simply speaking to their children about drug use until their child’s change in behavior has become blatantly obvious. Unfortunately, waiting until their child’s drug experimentation has developed into an entirely new lifestyle built upon illegal shenanigans, dishonesty and filled with drug using peers can be very risky and dangerous. At Narconon Fresh Start they think attacking the issue from the start is more advantageous and leads to better outcomes in the long run. There are several indicators to watch out for. If these indicators are clear, it's action time!
Common indications of drug abuse in children:
-Changes in your child’s friends – becoming part of a new/different group
Developing new friendships is normal, and a natural part of growing up. But, if your child is no longer spending time with their previous friends and only their new group this may signify a noteworthy change.
-Acting reclusive
Kids enjoy sharing their interests they are involved in. However, if they know their parent’s are going to disapprove of them they will begin to keep to themselves and become more introverted. They will be sure to keep specific items private, and by doing so they are signaling a suspicious change in the behavior.
-Deteriorating family relationships
When a child starts to keep secrets it changes their demeanor and how they interact with their parents. The child wants to keep their secrets private and if the parent gets close to uncovering them the child will blow up at them often shouting and claiming their privacy is being invaded.
-Noticeable changes in their behavior and attitude
When a typically happy and outgoing child suddenly becomes short tempered it is a warning sign that something is wrong. Often times intense reactions to insignificant issues mean that that is not the real issue. It is almost never truly about what the actual disagreement is over; instead, it is the fact that their secret was nearly discovered.
-Lack of School Interest
Drug and alcohol abuse are known to lead to lessening of performance in school. When a usually well performing student begins to underperform there may be the reason behind their decline.
While these are certainly not all of the possible signs of drug use in children, they are a good general overview of what to look for if you suspect your child is struggling with drug or alcohol abuse. The most significant item to take away is not to wait until things worsen in your child’s life. Addiction to drugs and alcohol will be the reality of anyone who chooses to abuse these substances. The quicker you identify and resolve the issues, the higher the probability of the individual having a positive and successful recovery.
brought to you by Narconon Fresh Start :)
