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    Alcohol and Drug Issues

     

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    Drug and alcohol FACTS

     

    Where do kids USE drugs

     

    Where do kids GET drugs

     

    Marijuana (Facts for Parents)

     

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    Additional information and referrals

     

    COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF ADOLESCENT DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE OR ABUSE:

    ILLICIT BEHAVIORS
    ·         Drug or alcohol use (this is not a mistake; denial often obscures the obvious signs)
    ·         Theft
    ·         Disappearance of possessions, money, clothes
    ·         Possession of drug-related paraphernalia
    ·         Possession of weapons
    ·         Drug- or alcohol-related posters, signs, tee shirts, etc.
    ·         Use of goldenseal or other OTC herbs
    ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
    ·         Marked drop in grades
    ·         Lack of concern about grades
    ·         Little or no investment in homework, studying, etc.
    ·         Poor concentration
    ·         Poor memory
    ·         Marked drop in classroom participation
    ·         General loss of interest in school
    ·         Excessive procrastination / avoidance
    ·         Frequent lates or cuts
    ·         Loss of interests in sports, activities, school events
    ·         Improved behavior and appearance of focus

    DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIORS
    ·         Frequent lying, and excuses that are plausible but suspicious
    ·         Excessive sleeping or drifting
    ·         Defiance of rules
    ·         Verbal or physical abuse
    ·         Mood swings
    ·         Excessive talking
    ·         Non-communicative
    SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
    ·         Change in friends
    ·         Change in hangouts
    ·         Unknown friends who avoid parents
    ·         Always out of the house with no particular destination
    ·         Secretive / suspicious phone conversations
    ·         Hang-up phone calls
    ·         Callers who refuse to identify themselves
    ·         Significantly older or younger acquaintances
    ·         Isolation
    ·         Argues that drug use is alright
    ·         Argues that teachers / parents don’t understand drug use
    ·         Lives day-to-day with no long term planning or commitments (apathetic)
    ·         Extreme avoidance of family / extended family functions
    ·         Use of street vocabulary
    ·         Demands / steals money from siblings, parents, friends, classmates


    WARNING SIGNS OF PRESENT INTOXICATION
    ·             Smell of alcohol, marijuana, or strong chemical
    ·           Appears disoriented or confused
    ·           Excessive sleeping, inability to arouse
    ·           Loss of muscular coordination
    ·           Unexplained happiness, giddiness, laughing
    ·           Unexplained or uncharacteristic aggression
    ·           Dilated, red, or unusual eye appearance
    ·           Slurred speech
    ·           Hyperactive
    ·           Hyper-anxious
    ·           Excessive indulgence in food
     

     

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