What are some of the early signs that my teenager

might be using drugs or alcohol?

The most obvious indication of drug or alcohol use are signs of intoxication, smelling alcohol or drugs on breath or clothing, or finding alcohol, drugs, or drug paraphernalia, such as pipes, rolling papers, in your teenager's room, clothing, or car - all of which would be cause for a frank discussion.

A change in your child's previous level of functioning can be another important sign. This can be a somewhat less obvious but often an earlier signal that there may be a problem. It's important for parents to be alert to any significant changes or decline in the following areas:

• Change in school performance such as decline in grades, decreased motivation to complete assignments or involvement in school activities; skipping classes/truancy
• Significant changes in personal habits such as sleep (sleeping much more or much less), level of activity, appetite (increased or decreased), or hygiene
• Significant changes in behavior and/or mood such as increased irritability, aggression, decreased motivation, disregard for rules, mood swings, depression; expressing suicidal thoughts or behaviors
• Decreased involvement in positive social activities such as team sports or school related activities; loss of interest in a favorite hobby
• Association with a deviant peer group, gang involvement; legal problems

A significant change in mood, behavior, academic performance, or peer group does not necessarily mean that your teenager is involved with drugs or alcohol. It does mean that a heart-to-heart parent-child talk about concerns and problems is in order.

Don't feel that you have to handle everything alone. There are a growing number of clinical professionals with experience and training in the evaluation and treatment of mental health and substance problems in adolescents. This is important because adolescents with substance use disorders have a higher risk of having co-occurring mental health problems, such as depression or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, compared to non-substance involved adolescents.

by Paula D. Riggs, M.D.