When it's You

• Am I Addicted?
• Why Can't I Stop?
• Where Do I Get Help?
• The Road to Recovery
• Find the Courage to Say No, Even Under Pressure

When it's Your Friend

• Does My Friend Have a Drinking or Drug Problem?
• How Do I Help My Friend?

When it's Your Parent

• Does My Parent Have an Alcohol or Drug Problem?
• How Do I Help My Parent

When It's Your Kid

• Does My Kid Have a Drug Problem?
• What Can I Do to Help My Kid?
• Not Just Someone Else's Kid
• Alcohol: The Deadliest Drug
• Help Your Kid Handle the Pressure
• Bush Party Dangers

Does My Kid Have a Drug Problem?

Source: CDC

Even though your kid may show some of the following signs of drug use, it doesn't mean he or she is abusing drugs. There are other causes for some of these behaviors. Even being a teen is a valid reason for many of them to exist.

If six of these signs (not all in the same category) are present for a period of time, you should talk to your kid and seek some professional help.

Signs in the Home

	loss of interest in family activities
	disrespect for family rules
	withdrawal from responsibilities
	verbally or physically abusive
	sudden increase or decrease in appetite
	disappearance of valuable items or money
	not coming home on time
	not telling you where they are going
	constant excuses for behaviour
	spending a lot of time in their rooms
	lies about activities
	finding the following: cigarette rolling papers, pipes, roach clips, small glass vials, plastic baggies, remnants of drugs (seeds, etc.)

Signs at School

	sudden drop in grades
	truancy
	loss of interest in learning
	sleeping in class
	poor work performance
	not doing homework
	defiant of authority
	poor attitude towards sports or other extracurricular activities
	reduced memory and attention span
	not informing you of teacher meetings, open houses, etc.

Physical & Emotional Signs

	changes friends
	smell of alcohol or marijuana on breath or body
	unexplainable mood swings and behaviour
	negative, argumentative, paranoid or confused, destructive, anxious
	over reacts to criticism; acts unusually rebellious
	sharing few if any of their personal problems
	doesn't seem as happy as they used to be
	overly tired or hyperactive
	drastic weight loss or gain
	unhappy and depressed
	cheats, steals
	always needs money, or has excessive amounts of money
	sloppiness in appearance