Signs of Teen Drug Abuse (Part 4)

This is a guest post by Timothy Shoemaker who is a nationally recognized instructor, speaker and consultant. Above all else, though, he is a father.

Through my own experiences, conversations I’ve had with parents and with the help of  The Partnership at Drugfree.org, I’ve compiled ten effective methods that can help parents through the trials of teen drug detection.

Do Their Laundry Occasionally:

This non-intrusive technique often yields the first clues of substance abuse.  Check shirts for vomit, pants for urine and pockets for left-overs.

Give ‘em a Hug:

Embrace your child when you see him. Whether via hug or handshake, take a moment to evaluate the sights, smells and mannerisms he comes home with.

Do Your Homework:

If your child was drunk, could you tell? What about high? Brush up on signs and symptoms so you can tell the difference.

Know Their Friends:

Friends say a lot about our own values. This is particularly true for teens. What are their friends doing?

See The Signs:

Incense, eye drops, body spray and breath mints are common cover ups. Also be alert for expressive T-Shirts, doodle-art and alcohol branded merchandise.

Ask The Right Questions:

Instead of asking, “Are you using drugs?”, try “Do you know anyone who uses drugs? How do you feel about that?” Explore the topic of drug use from a comfortable distance.

Get It In Writing:

Written family agreements are essential. Eliminate confusion, illuminate goals and accentuate expectations. Only three months at a time!

Dial In:

You’re going to need some help. Familiarize yourself with the local, and internet-based, resources on this subject. This is a constantly evolving topic.

Pound the Praise:

Instead of, “You better not drink!” Try “I’m so proud of my sober daughter!” It’s easy on the ears, and it works better.

Know When to Be a Friend:

Let your teen know that it’s okay to talk to you if she needs to. Talk about risks of drug and alcohol abuse, reveal the examples and remind your child of your shared responsibility to defend each other from substance abuse.

Whether driven by love, logic or languor, there are many conditions which steer our parenting techniques towards the creation of independence in our kids. A warning not often enough conveyed, though, is that premature independence can be a factor that leads to a life of drug dependence. The challenge for us as parents, is to foster leadership, while at the same time embracing our role as protector.

I hope this piece offers some valuable takeaways for those of you enduring the trials of teen or tween parenting.

What do you think parents should do when they suspect teen substance abuse? 

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