How to Tell if Your Child is Abusing Drugs

Parents often are slow to recognize when their children begin abusing drugs and alcohol. The best thing a parent can do is talk to their child before the age of 12 and assure them that if they have any questions about narcotics, it's important to come directly to a family member rather than relying on peers for information. In addition to that, there are 5 ways to tell if your child is having drug and/or alcohol problems, so read on and be prepared!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Drugs

1. Notice your teenager's behavior. When a teenager is on drugs the first thing to go is the cohesiveness of their thought process. If they are not thinking correctly or responding at a normal pace, they are probably using drugs.
2. Look at their eyes. Dilated pupils and/or red eyes are usually a sign of drug abuse.
3. Talk to them. If your child is in the 7th to 12th grades, then they are surely exposed to drugs. So it is your job to help them understand the dangers of various drugs.
4. Be a parent and not a dictator. Making demands and telling your child to do this and that will only place a wall between you. The parent's job is not to make demands but to guide their children into adulthood.
5. Grow up with the teenager. Don't forget you were once a teen, too. When a teenager thinks that they can't talk to parents about the struggles of life, the first person they turn to is a friend. When that friend is on drugs themselves, they will be very bad examples. Be available, be kind, and above all, listen to your child!

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you become your child's role model.