The Marriage Counseling Blog

When you are a parent who suspects your child is using drugs or alcohol, every moment, every look and every behavioral tic can be interpreted as signs of drug abuse. A parent who strikes out on their own to try and track down the potential abuse sources and behaviors can be in for a frustration and often disappointing response. They may be wrong about the drug abuse and uncover only the seeds of distrust, or they may be right about the drug use but inadvertently push their teenager farther away.

The more educated the parents make themselves about drug and alcohol abuse, the easier it will be to notice the early signs and get help for the family in the way of therapy and counseling.

Signs of Teenage Drug or Alcohol Abuse

• Changes in sleep patterns, either sleeping too much or not enough
• Physical effects: Slurred speech, talking excessively and rapidly. Red, glassy or watery eyes. Dilated pupils.
• Large motor skills such as impaired walking, clumsiness, dropping things, shaking hands
• Change in eating habits with a significant increase or decrease in appetite, especially with an unexplained weight loss or gain.
• Skin injuries are a major cause for concern and should be noticed immediately. Unusual skin abrasions or bruises; needle marks and, very important, rashes around nose and mouth.
• Mental changes that include nervousness, anxiety, restlessness and anger. Impaired thinking that can include paranoia with irrational or bizarre thoughts.

Different substances and their abuses have different symptoms, but a common signs of illness and abuse should not be ruled out, especially when physical signs are accompanied by mental/emotional signs.

Contact a family therapist to help understand the behaviors and feelings that have led up to this and help begin the healing process that will head away from substance abuse and onto a better life.

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