WARNING SIGNS

Drug and alcohol abuse can be difficult to identify. Normal adolescent angst can often resemble symptoms of substance abuse. A number of parents report they saw no symptoms of substance abuse when they brought their teens to a treatment center. Following are some of the signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol abuse you should not ignore.

—Christy

• Loss of motivation, apathy
• Change in sleeping patterns, sleeping too much or too little
• Withdrawal from family and regular activities
• Changes in friends
• Lying
• Secretiveness on the phone or computer
• Drop in grades
• Truancy, skipping classes
• Discipline problems at school
• Disinterest in personal grooming
• Change in appetite or weight
• Cough, stuffy nose or frequent sniffling
• Dilated or constricted pupils or bloodshot eyes
• Tobacco smell on clothes
• Over reaction to mild criticism, rage, emotional outbursts, moodiness, depression, anxiety, irritability, over sensitivity, or hostility
• Disappearance of money or items of value in your home
• Drugs, drug paraphernalia, eye drops