Alcohol and drug abuse usually start at an early age. Your child might get exposed to drugs and alcohol in one form or another throughout their time in school. However, instead of going into panic mode and not knowing what to do, you must take some time to consider your options.
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Nonetheless, maintaining a calm demeanor while knowing that your child is becoming an addict is no easy feat. After all, thirty percent of school high school students have been known to use marijuana. Likewise, fifty percent have consumed alcohol once in their life. The odds stand against parents. In the end, alcohol abuse in kids is a sad reality that parents have to deal with eventually.
So, suppose your kids go from being high achievers to getting D or F grades around the time you noticed a change in their behavior. In that case, you might be looking at the side effects of drug abuse. Of course, there might be other reasons for such a thing, so ensure that you look at other causes before confronting your kids. That said, let us look at some warning signs that might show your kid is abusing drugs.
Your kid evades your questions
Suppose your kid has been out way past their curfew time and isn’t willing to explain why. In that case, this could mean they were out using drugs and don’t want to tell you about it. While monitoring their activities might seem like intruding in their personal lives, it’s your responsibility to ensure they remain away from harm’s way.
That said, if you find proof that they are abusing drugs, get them professional help immediately. Otherwise, they might plunge into this deteriorating habit for life. You can take them to The Palm Beach Institute to ensure they get proper treatment under expert supervision. They offer tons of inpatient and detox treatments that will allow your kid to recover from addiction.
Your kid starts to abandon social activities
The most evident warning sign of drug abuse amongst kids is abandoning all social activities. After all, kids abusing drugs prefer to stay in their rooms and cut all social ties from the world. That said, this might not be an apparent sign of drug abuse as it could also be a result of changing priorities or interests.
So, it would be best if you tread lightly as a parent. However, abandoning all social activities usually is associated with drug abuse.
You see changes in your kid’s behavior
Abrupt changes in behavior and drastic mood swings are two common tell-tale signs of drug abuse in kids. Likewise, if you notice that your kid has the jitters in the morning while being calm in the evening, they might be abusing drugs. You can even look for physical changes, especially those visible on the face, such as deep dark circles.
Your kid experiences memory problems
Inability to pay attention or issues with memory can sometimes be a warning sign for drug abuse. While human beings have a habit of forgetting things, if your kid doesn’t remember basic things, there might be a possibility that they are on drugs.
That said, memory loss and inability to pay attention are also associated with a medical condition known as ADHD. So, consider taking them to a doctor to ensure whether they have ADHD or addiction problems.
Your kid goes through abrupt weight changes
A decrease or increase in body weight is a normal part of any human being’s life. But, if your kid experiences rapid fluctuations in weight, it could be a sign of drug addiction. For example, it might be because some kids would rather spend their lunch money on drugs or neglect to eat due to drug usage itself.
So, if your kid weighed a lot and suddenly lost 40 pounds in a month, it might be due to drug abuse.
Your kid has difficulty sleeping at night
Most kids usually have tons of energy. However, drug abuse can cause sleep issues that lead to increased fatigue and sluggishness. For instance, if your kid is abusing prescription drugs such as Xanax, they might remain in bed all the time, even at odd hours.
On the other hand, if your child doesn’t sleep at all, they might be abusing methamphetamine. Whatever the case, both instances warrant further investigation.
Your kid is angry all the time
If you think that your once sweet and humble boy or girl suddenly seems defensive and angry all the time, they might be on drugs. Moreover, if they lash out when you ask them simple questions, you must investigate further to know whether or not the root cause is drug abuse.
For instance, if your kid is abusing prescription drugs, they might experience sudden mood swings, which is a tell-tale sign.
Conclusion
If your kid is misusing prescription medicine or abusing drugs, your best course of action would be to contact your doctor to know what to do next. Moreover, it’s imperative not to forget that you are your kid’s only hope, and they look up to you for guidance. In the end, ensuring your kid’s health and well-being is an essential part of parenting. And when it comes to drug abuse, you must do everything necessary to ensure your kid gets back on track, whether through rehab or a recovery group.
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