Drugs & Alcohol

Physical: fatigue, repeated health complaints, red and glazed eyes, and a lasting cough.

Emotional: personality change, sudden mood changes, irritability, irresponsible behavior, low self-esteem, poor judgment, depression, and a general lack of interest.

Family: starting arguments, breaking rules, or withdrawing from the family.

School: decreased interest, negative attitude, drop in grades, many absences, truancy, and discipline problems.

Social problems: new friends who are less interested in standard home and school activities, problems with the law, and changes to less conventional styles in dress and music. Source: American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Uses more alcohol and/or another drug than in the past

Denies or tries to hide drinking and/or other drug use

Avoids talking about his/her use and behavior when intoxicated and minimizes the amount and frequency of and problems related to drug use

Forgets or denies things that happened when s/he was intoxicated

Chooses friends who are heavy drinkers or drug users

Often drinks and/or takes drugs to relax or forget about problems

Tries to justify or excuse his/her drinking and/or other drug use

Drives a car or operates machinery while intoxicated, or is arrested for drunk driving

Behaves differently when intoxicated (for example, a person who is normally quiet and mild-mannered becomes loud and angry when intoxicated)

Denies having a drinking problem because s/he drinks only beer or wine, or denies having a drug problem because s/he only uses marijuana, over-the-counter diet aids or some other supposedly "harmless" substance

Has problems related to alcohol/drug use-accidents, conflicts, financial difficulties, absenteeism, frequent illness, hangovers- with work, family and friends

Thinks a lot about alcohol/other drugs

Avoids social functions where alcohol and/or other drugs may not be available

Seems to have a low self-image and uses alcohol/drugs to feel better

Makes you(or peers) embarrassed, anxious or afraid when s/he is drunk or high

Source: Wisconsin Clearinghouse pamphlet "How An Adult Can Help A Friend With An Alcohol Or Other Drug Problem”

Signs in the Home

loss of interest in family activities

disrespect for family rules

withdrawal from responsibilities

verbally or physically abusive

sudden increase or decrease in appetite

disappearance of valuable items or money

not coming home on time

not telling you where they are going

constant excuses for behaviour

spending a lot of time in their rooms

lies about activities

finding the following: cigarette rolling papers, pipes, roach clips, small glass vials, plastic baggies, remnants of drugs (seeds, etc.)

Signs at School

sudden drop in grades

truancy

loss of interest in learning

sleeping in class

poor work performance

not doing homework

defiant of authority

poor attitude towards sports or other extracurricular activities

reduced memory and attention span

not informing you of teacher meetings, open houses, etc.

Physical and Emotional Signs

changes friends

smell of alcohol or marijuana on breath or body

unexplainable mood swings and behavior

negative, argumentative, paranoid or confused, destructive, anxious

over-reacts to criticism acts rebellious

sharing few if any of their personal problems

doesn't seem as happy as they used to be

overly tired or hyperactive

drastic weight loss or gain

unhappy and depressed

cheats, steals

always needs money, or has excessive amounts of money

sloppiness in appearence

Source: ParentingTeens.about.com

Tobacco

smells of smoke

coughing

throat irritation

hoarseness

bad breath

decreased athletic performance

greater susceptibility to colds

stained teeth

shortness of breath

Smokeless tobacco can also stain teeth and clothes.

Source: Kidshealth.org