Tips for parents to recognize possible drug use

As children grow up they take up new fads—but sudden and extreme changes in your child may signal drug use.
Be alert if your child displays major changes in some or most of these areas:

Physical Changes:

• Changes in eating habits, unexplained weight loss or gain.
• Inability to sleep, awake at unusual times or unusual laziness.
• Red, watery eyes; pupils larger or smaller than usual; blank stare.
• Cold, sweaty palms; shaking hands.
• Smell of drugs on breath, body or clothes.
• Extreme hyperactivity; excessive talkativeness.
• Runny nose; hacking cough.
• Needle marks on body.
• Nausea, vomiting or excessive sweating.
• Tremors or shakes of hands, feet or head.
• Irregular heartbeat.

Personality Changes:

• Change in overall attitude/personality with no other identifiable cause.
• Losses track of time
• Changes in friends
• Drop in grades at school or performance at work; skips school or is late for school.
• Loss of interest in family and family activities.
• Difficulty in paying attention; forgetfulness.
• Lack of motivation, energy, self-esteem, "I don't care" attitude.
• Moodiness, irritability, or nervousness.
• Silliness or giddiness.
• Paranoia
• Excessive need for privacy.
• Secretive or suspicious behavior.
• Chronic dishonesty.
• Unexplained need for money, stealing money or items.
• Change in personal grooming habits.
• Possession of drug paraphernalia.


Next Steps:

These changes often signal that something is going on—and often that involves alcohol or drugs.

•You may want to take your child to the doctor and ask him or her about screening your child for drugs and alcohol. This may involve the health professional asking your child a simple question, or it may involve a urine or blood drug screen.

•Get treatment referrals from trustworthy agencies or individuals—your doctor, local hospital, state or local substance abuse agencies, other parents whose children have been in drug treatment, Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator.

•Examine your child's mental health—a child with emotional or social problems may use drugs for self-medication.

•Don't deny that there is a problem—your child needs your help and parental support

•Some of these signs/symptoms also indicate there may be a deeper problem with depression, gang involvement, or suicide. Be on the watch for these signs so that you can spot trouble before it goes too far.

Contact Odyssey House concerning any questions you may have at 801-322-3222 or www.odysseyhouse.org under the contact us page (maybe we should have an e-mail dedicated to admission questions- info@odysseyhouse.org)