Chemical Dependency

How Do You Know if Your Teenager Needs Help?

Lori Brattset, MS, CADC III, CICSW
NewStart

Adolescence is a stage of constant change. Teenagers are going through a process of identity formation, and for some there is a temptation to use alcohol and other drugs to deal with the constant flux of changing moods and feelings. Sometimes teenagers have trouble moving through the developmental stages of adolescence and problems arise. If alcohol or other drugs are used, they will inhibit teenagers from moving through these developmental stages successfully.

Have you begun to suspect your teenager of using chemicals? It is very unusual that parents know their teenagers are using. Most of the time they only see the behavioral changes. Below is a list of questions that may be helpful for you in determining whether your teenager may be involved with alcohol or other drugs.

1. Is your liquor supply dwindling?
    
2. Has your teenager's personality changed notably and does he or she have sudden mood swings?
    
3. Is he or she becoming less responsible regarding chores, being home on time, following household rules, etc.?
    
4. Has interest waned in school work, athletics or extra curricular activities? Are grades dropping and negativity setting in?
    
5. Does your teenager seem to be losing old friends and hanging out with a drug-using and/or partying group?
    
6. Are you missing money or objects that could be sold for cash?
    
7. Do you hear from neighbors, friends or others about your child's using or questionable behaviors?
    
8. Is your teenager in trouble with the law?
    
9. Does your teenager defend his or her right to use?
    
10. Does your teenager ignore talk about drugs, alcoholism or chemical dependency?
     
11. Does your teenager get into fights with peers?
     
12. Are there signs of medical or emotional problems: ulcers, high blood pressure, acute indigestion, gastritis, depression, liver dysfunction, kidney problems, alcohol-related injuries, accidents, coughing, loss of appetite?
     
13. Does he or she drive responsibly?
     
14. Is your teenager generally dishonest?
     
15. Are there obvious signs, like bottles or pipes, in bedroom or garage?
     
16. Is there alcohol on your teenager's breath; does he or she have red eyes or dilated pupils?
     
17. Does your teenager spend an inordinate amount of time alone away from home?
     
18. Have the teenager's relationships with other family members deteriorated?
     
19. Does your teenager continue to use despite consequences?
     
20. Has your teenager been in therapy for other issues and nothing seems to change or get better?

If you answered yes to some of these questions, you may want to consider having an assessment done by an Adolescent Counselor at NewStart.

Most teenagers begin their use of alcohol and drugs because their peers are using. Whatever the reasons for the abuse, the effects can have serious and devastating effects on the physical and emotional development of the teenager. When abusing chemicals, teenagers avoid working through the adolescent developmental life tasks that are required for them to develop into healthy, mature adults.

Teenagers become addicted to chemicals or begin to have significant problems with their use in a matter of months. It is always best to catch the usage early. Watch for behavioral changes and remember that most of the time parents do not have any hard evidence that the teenager has been using chemicals, but behavioral signs are seen.

2/13/09