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 Parent Have an Alcohol or Drug Problem?

If your parent's drinking or drug use is causing problems for your family, then it's a real problem. Not all alcoholics or drug abusers look like street people. Some are very good at trying to hide their problems. But alcohol and drug abuse isn't a secret any youth should have to keep.

Here are some signs to watch for:

	Problems remembering things they recently said or did.
	No longer caring for your family the way they once did.
	Not doing housework the way they used to.
	Spending lots of time sleeping.
	Getting drunk or high on a regular basis.
	Hiding alcohol, drugs, or drug paraphernalia around the house.
	Socializing with people who seem suspicious.
	Gaining or losing lots of weight but not because of a diet or fitness program or illness.
	No longer caring about their appearance.
	Lying about how much alcohol or drugs they are using.
	Believing that alcohol or drugs are necessary to have a good time.
	Having frequent hangovers.
	Missing work or having problems at work because of drinking or drugging.
	Appearing run-down or depressed.
	Avoiding people they used to care about.
	Having "blackouts" — forgetting what they did while drinking or using.
	Getting in trouble with the law, e.g. drinking-driving charges or suspensions.

If your parent has any of these signs, it doesn't necessarily mean he or she is abusing drugs or alcohol. However, if these signs keep showing up in your lives, you may want to talk to an adult you trust to explore the issue more.