Adolescent Substance Abuse Pregention Inc.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What are some signs that my child may be using alcohol or other drugs?

See www.drugfreeamerica.org

In normal course of adolescence, kids often exhibit symptoms that would give any rational adult pause. However, the presence and intensity of a cluster of disturbing symptoms should be pursued.

First, rule out any physical illness with a trip to the doctor. Ask the doctor to evaluate for depression or other emotional causes as well. If there's a clean bill of health and the symptoms are still present, follow your gut and locate a professional with experience with adolescent drug use.

Signs and Symptoms Common to Adolescents Who are Using Drugs

Is my child:
- Withdrawn, depressed, tired, or neglecting personal grooming
- Hostile, uncooperative and frequently breaks curfew
- Suffering deteriorating relationships with family members
- Hanging out with a new group of friends and unwilling to introduce them
- Skipping school and experiencing dropping grades
- Losing interest in hobbies, sports and other favorite activities
- Exhibiting changes in sleeping patterns (ie: awake at night, asleep during the day)
- Having a hard time concentrating
- Exhibiting extreme red eyes or runny nose without evidence of allergies or cold
- Responsible for taking household money without permission
- The possible source of any of the following items in the home: pipes, rolling papers, small medicine bottles, eye drops, butane lighters, baby pacifiers, unidentified pills, incense, drug-related books, comics, magainzes, locked boxes or containers
For more information contact us or call 394-6915 x230 for a copy of our Parent Resource Booklet which has more detailed information and a local list of resources, or go the Rapid City Public Library for parent resources on substance abuse prevention or parenting.

What can I do if I suspect my child is using alcohol or other drugs?

Resources:
- Call your school counselor (www.rcas.org)
- Call 211 to connect to local resources

Is alcoholism a disease?

Yes, alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease with symptoms that include a strong need to drink despite negative consequences, such as serious school, job, or health problems.

Is alcoholism inherited?

Alcoholism tends to run in families, and genetic factors partially explain this pattern. A persons environment and the ease of obtaining alcohol may also influence drinking and the development of alcoholism.

Anti-Drug Quick Quiz

How many teens believe that kids who are really cool don't use drugs?
A. None
B. 3 out of 10
C. 7 out of 10*

When is the best age parents should starting talking to their kids about drugs?
A. Preschool*
B. Elementary School
C. Middle School
D. High School

How many teens in grades 7-12 have reported using marijuana at least once?
A. 25%
B. 40%*
C. 75%
D. 100%

My 19 year old son lives at home and commutes to college. I need to talk to him about marijuana, and tell him some reasons why he shouldn't smoke marijuana. What should I tell him?

Let's make this nice and simple.

#1 - it is against the law
#2 - it is against the rules of our household
#3 - it is a mind-altering addictive substance (it changes the way your brain works)
#4 - it affects your short term memory needed to learn in school
#5 - it has long-term consequences for the lungs, heart, brain and reproductive organs
#6 - it impairs your ability to safely operate a car

I read in the paper that there's been a big increase in the use of club drugs (ectasy and others) by youth. When I mentioned it to my 15 year-old, she assured me she hasn't used it but said it was "no big deal". That worries me. What is "ectasy" and what is the "big deal" so I can pass it on?

The article you read was referring to the highly-respected Monitoring the Future study which queries high school and college students every year. The survey shows that use of "ecstasy" was up 82% among 8th graders in one year and up about 45% among 10th and 11th graders.

It is easy to get. The perception of availability of "ecstasy" by 12th graders rose preciptiously (a one year increase from 40.1% to 51.4%). This is the largest one year percentage increase in the availability measure among 12th graders for any drug class in the 26 year history of the MTF study!

"Ecstasy" is the popular slang name for methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). It is both a stimulant and an hallucinogen. "Ecstasy" is far from harmless. Research shows that its chronic abuse appears to damage the brain's ability to think and regulate emotion, memory, sleep and pain.

So talk to your daughter. Do some research together at www.clubdrugs.org and remind her of your expectations. She needs your support.

My son will be 16 soon. I don't seem to know how to communicate with him anymore. When I try talking to him about his goals, plans, dreams, and fears, he doesn't respond. He doesn't seem to really have any set plans for
the future. Any suggestions?

Sixteen year-old boys are not easy to talk with! You aren't the first to notice this - so take comfort.

Your son is probably feeling a little (or alot!) overwhelmed with the approaching end of childhood and onset of adult responsibility. Try to back down a bit - talk about plans for this summer and classes he will take in the fall rather than long-term goals and plans. If college is an assumption or a strong possibility, make plans together to take a college tour of 3-5
schools that are within his academic and financial range.

You can also alleviate the pressure by asking about his friends and their plans for the next couple of years. Let him talk about them instead of himself. You'll learn a lot.

Try to help him find a summer job that he'll enjoy but which may also illustrate the value of continued education. Above all, let him know you love him and will help him any way you can without making his life choices for him. Good luck!

I think my wife is over-reacting with our 14 year-old son. We have always tried to present a united front but we really disagree about this. He's a good kid but when he's out with his friends, they drink some. He only drinks beer and I think he'll outgrow this phase as I did. My wife thinks we should send him to his grandparents for the summer because she's so opposed to his drinking. Can you help?

Good for you for trying to come to consensus on this important issue! Adolescents who begin drinking before age 15 or younger are four times more likely to develop problems with alcohol use and dependence than those who begin drinking as age 21 or older. So your wife has adequate reason to be concerned.

You say he "only" drinks beer. One 12-oz. beer has the same amount of alcohol as a shot (1.5 oz.) of distilled spirits or 5 oz. glass of wine. Basically "a drink is a drink is a drink". If he's out nearly every night, that's a lot of alcohol. There are some scary immediate consequences including traffic crashes, arrest, fighting, falls and drowning that are clearly associated with alcohol. Are you really ready to take those risks?

Then let's talk about the law. It is illegal. You're the parent now no matter what you did as a kid. It's really your job to model respect for the law. Come on, Dad, help him and his friends think of other things to do - take them to a ball game, go hiking, camping, find other things for them to do and begin to help them learn that what they do will effect their future....

Sending him to his grandparents for part of a summer might be fun for him and his grandparents but shouldn't be a punishment or a way of restricting him. First of all, he can find a way to drink anywhere. Second, it doesn't address the concern for his current and future health or the consequences of breaking the law. Your wife can come up with some ideas for keeping his summer busy too.

And finally talk to him. Explain why you are both concerned and cannot let him continue to abuse alcohol. Then stick to it.

My daughter is suspected of using marijuana. She is only 14 years old. Is there a test that my wife and I can give her to see if she tests positive and where to we get that?

There are various home drug-testing kits on the market which you can purchase at your local drug store. You may want to read about the various types of tests and their advantages and drawbacks before you purchase one. Some good sites for information are www.saliva-testing.com, www.firstcheckfamily.com, www.athomedrugtest.com

Be aware of the small possibility of a false positive result with the tests you read at home yourself. If you get a positive result, you may want to confirm it with a more sophisticated test that is read at a lab. Also know that all tests do not test for the same substance. Be sure to read the label to get the appropriate test.

In the case of a positive test, you should seek additional professional help from a qualified physician or counselor familiar with adolescent drug use. Do your research on locating that person first so you'll have someone to turn to if you need them.

Also, know the facts! This will help discuss the risks with your children and assures us that we are giving them current and correct information. Don't rely on what you knew (or thought you knew), 15 or more years ago.

My son is 13. He has admitted to me that one of his friends smokes cigarettes and marijuana. Should we continue to allow them to spend time together? I have casually checked to see if this boy smells like smoke or looks stoned on those occasions when he is visiting in our home. What else can I do?

It's a good thing that your son feels comfortable enough to tell you something about a friend that he knows you don't want to hear! You should feel proud of him and of yourself for developing a good relationship.

Since you know this about this boy, you will want to be able to control the time your son spends with him. That is - invite him to your house, invite him to go with your family to a game, to the beach, to a fast food restaurant....Let your son spend some limited other time with him too but continue to hug him when he gets home (to smell for smoke, etc. as well as to remind him that you love him).

Don't assume that this boy will influence your son, assume that your son will influence him - and tell your son that you have that much faith in him. At other times, reiterate your family's rules about smoking and drug use (not in relation to the other boy, but just in general).

This advice applies to all your son's friends now and in the future - at least through high school. It sounds like you're on the right track already! Enjoy your son!