| u suspect that your teen is using or abusing alcohol or | | | | (Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse.) |
| drugs? Is there a nagging feeling in the back of your | | | | What you can do: |
| brain that you really need to check this out? Are you | | | | Parental Monitoring: Supervise your teen or know |
| afraid of what you might find? Do you worry when | | | | where your teen is and what they are doing. |
| your son or daughter is out with friends for hours on | | | | Make a Plan: Decide what you will say before you talk |
| end and you really don’t know where they | | | | to your teen if you suspect alcohol or drug abuse. |
| are? | | | | (Avoid negativity, express your concerns, caring and |
| Then join the ranks of parenting teens today in | | | | love. |
| America. In almost every interaction I have with | | | | State the Facts: State what you know from the |
| parents of teenagers this topic comes up. Parents | | | | above warning signs. |
| don’t know what to do. | | | | Be Open: Listen to what your teen has to say. |
| Should I search his room? Should I confront her? | | | | Set and Enforce Rules: With care and concern, let |
| Should I demand a drug test? Will I drive an even | | | | your teen know that you will not put up with drug or |
| bigger wedge into our already distant relationship? | | | | alcohol use/abuse. “I know you can’t |
| Maybe it’s just normal that she is | | | | stand it when I make rules, but I am your parent and it |
| experimenting…but her moods have changed. | | | | my job to keep you safe.” Hold your teen |
| Are you frightened for your teen’s safety? | | | | accountable for his or her actions and set clear |
| Then read on: | | | | consequences for not obeying your rules. |
| The warning signs of teen alcohol or drug abuse: | | | | Be Prepared for Obstacles: Many teens will become |
| • Missing school or work. | | | | very angry and defensive and walk away from you. |
| • Not saying where he or she is going; or being | | | | Take a deep breath and go back for round #2. |
| vague about where he or she has been. | | | | Keep Talking: Any chance you get, make an attempt |
| • Lying about where he or she has been. | | | | to talk with your teen. Don’t give up or lose |
| • Stopping activities that he or she used to | | | | your temper no matter how uncomfortable the |
| enjoy and not replacing them with other fun activities. | | | | situation might seem. |
| • Borrowing money from parents or friends | | | | Design a Contract: About rules and their |
| and unable to explain loss of money or valuables. | | | | consequences. Both you and your teen sign it. Be |
| • Sniffling, runny nose, dilated pupils or red eyes. | | | | clear, firm and concise. |
| • Losing appetite or eating too much | | | | Follow Through: Be consistent. The minute you back |
| • Associating with a new group of friends, | | | | off or avoid your teen will run with the freedom. |
| often those who use drugs. | | | | Know this: Your teen wants you to rein him or her in. It |
| • Hiding things that would show alcohol or drug | | | | is scary having so much power and no one noticing |
| use, liquor bottles, rolling papers or pipes. | | | | that you are getting away with breaking rules. Being |
| • Moodiness, change in personality, avoiding | | | | out of control is not that much fun for your teen either. |
| you. | | | | |