Signs of Adolescent Drug Abuse As Reported by Teens Themselves:

• Changes in appearance that are never for the better
• Unexpected and extreme mood swings
• Oversleeping and binge eating
• Running away from home or suicidal threats when parents say no to going out to hang with “friends&rdquo
• Finding any of the following in backpacks or the teen’s bedroom: Visine, Clear Eyes, breath mints, rolling papers, cigar wraps, lighters, one hitter pipes, tinfoil, empty pen cylinders, or small plastic bags
• Keeping to themselves when the family is around
• Dishonesty about their whereabouts and activities with friends
• No respect for family rules and values
• Fast or steady drop in grades; not caring about assignments and homework
• Cutting classes and school
• Giving up “good” peer group friends for new, shady friends that you really don’t know
• Giving up cool hobbies or quitting sports/school activities to hang out with friends
• Taking money (really stealing) or possessions from family and friends
• Arrests for alcohol or pot possession, curfew violations or vandalism and petty theft
• Lots of secret keeping and secret phone calls
• Overhearing phone calls or finding emails that talk about getting a “G”, “rolling”, “blunts”, sleepovers or parties with no parents present
• Missing alcohol or medications in the home
• And finally, blaming others (parents, other family members, teachers, police) for any of the above

In most cases, any three of these signs can mean a drug or alcohol problem. If you are not sure, get your teen an evaluation. Evaluations usually take an hour, and we strongly recommend having your teen be drug tested as well. We can do both.