Post by misty on Sept 12, 2007 8:50:37 GMT -5
This was in an ADHD newsletter I receive. I know this is not a strictly ADHD topic, but I thought it was important enough to share & there are some good ideas. Being that several of us have kids who are entering their teen years, I thought it was a good idea to post it.
Monitoring Your Teens for Drug Use Without Appearing to be Spying
By: V. Michael Santoro, M. Ed.
Even if your teenagers do not use drugs, you still
need to keep an eye on them. It is much better to
realize that things could change, and anticipate
that your teen COULD become a user.
Essentially, it is not wise to make assumptions
about topics such as drug use.
About drug use:
Initially, I learned that the signs of drug use
included three basic symptoms:
* A loss of interest in hobbies
* A change in friends
* A drop in grades
What I later discovered was that not seeing
these symptoms only provides a false sense of
security regarding teenagers and potential drug use.
The above behaviors apply more to signs of
"drug addiction," as opposed to "experimental" drug use.
Teens who experiment with drugs don't start out
addicted so logically, they do not show any symptoms.
They generally look healthy and nothing seems to be
wrong. In fact, teens can casually use drugs for
over a year before their parents would even suspect
any drug or alcohol use.
Many teenagers who decide to experiment with drugs
start out casually, using them with friends and
then progressing towards regular use. It is
important that you look for clues pertaining to
casual drug use so that if your teen is prone,
you can proactively deal with it.
What you can do
You need to monitor your teen's behavior and watch
for signs of drug use, without appearing to be
spying. Your goal should be to prevent him
or her from feeling free to experiment with
drugs or alcohol.
The best way to accomplish this is to keep abreast
of your teen's activities and friends. You will
be able to spot a problem early if you keep your
eyes and ears open, and believe that YOUR teenager
is capable of using drugs.
Many parents get blind-sided by thinking that
their teen would never try drugs. Only then will
you be ready to intervene if the situation
presents itself.
The following are ten ways to monitor your teenager's
behavior and watch for signs of drug use, without
appearing to be spying:
1. Hug your teen as soon as he or she arrives home.
Check for odors of possible marijuana smoke or alcohol.
Remember that cologne or chewing gum may be used to hide the odor.
2. Teenagers under the influence will usually
go straight to their room when they arrive home.
While making eye contact, hold a brief conversation.
Check for bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and their sense
of balance.
3. Keep the lights on and stay up until your
teenager comes home.
4. Ask your teen for the time and watch the way he or she
looks at his or her watch.
5. If your teenager unexpectedly wants to spend
the night at a friend's house, and you have concerns, say no.
6. Maintain a flexible schedule. Be unpredictable
so your teen cannot find it easy to plan around your activities.
7. Keep abreast of what your teen is really
doing when away from home. Meet their friends and their
parents and participate in mutual activities.
This is a very effective form of networking.
8. Ask your neighbors to discretely keep an eye
on any activities that may take place while you are not home.
9. Check to see how your teens are doing in school.
Ask their teachers if there is any cause for concern or
if your teen has been behaving differently.
10. After you meet your teenager's friends, always
ask them to identify themselves when they call.
Get to know them. Always encourage your teens
to invite their friends over while you are home.
Remember, your goal should be to prevent your teenager
from feeling free to experiment with drugs or alcohol.
The best way to accomplish this is to keep abreast of
their activities and friends using the above methods.
Lastly, but most important, talk to your teenager on
a regular basis about the drug use she witnesses,
and how she feels about it. Also, if she has been
approached, have her describe how she handled the
situation. Strive for honesty and ask how you can
help her to remain drug free.
Monitoring Your Teens for Drug Use Without Appearing to be Spying
By: V. Michael Santoro, M. Ed.
Even if your teenagers do not use drugs, you still
need to keep an eye on them. It is much better to
realize that things could change, and anticipate
that your teen COULD become a user.
Essentially, it is not wise to make assumptions
about topics such as drug use.
About drug use:
Initially, I learned that the signs of drug use
included three basic symptoms:
* A loss of interest in hobbies
* A change in friends
* A drop in grades
What I later discovered was that not seeing
these symptoms only provides a false sense of
security regarding teenagers and potential drug use.
The above behaviors apply more to signs of
"drug addiction," as opposed to "experimental" drug use.
Teens who experiment with drugs don't start out
addicted so logically, they do not show any symptoms.
They generally look healthy and nothing seems to be
wrong. In fact, teens can casually use drugs for
over a year before their parents would even suspect
any drug or alcohol use.
Many teenagers who decide to experiment with drugs
start out casually, using them with friends and
then progressing towards regular use. It is
important that you look for clues pertaining to
casual drug use so that if your teen is prone,
you can proactively deal with it.
What you can do
You need to monitor your teen's behavior and watch
for signs of drug use, without appearing to be
spying. Your goal should be to prevent him
or her from feeling free to experiment with
drugs or alcohol.
The best way to accomplish this is to keep abreast
of your teen's activities and friends. You will
be able to spot a problem early if you keep your
eyes and ears open, and believe that YOUR teenager
is capable of using drugs.
Many parents get blind-sided by thinking that
their teen would never try drugs. Only then will
you be ready to intervene if the situation
presents itself.
The following are ten ways to monitor your teenager's
behavior and watch for signs of drug use, without
appearing to be spying:
1. Hug your teen as soon as he or she arrives home.
Check for odors of possible marijuana smoke or alcohol.
Remember that cologne or chewing gum may be used to hide the odor.
2. Teenagers under the influence will usually
go straight to their room when they arrive home.
While making eye contact, hold a brief conversation.
Check for bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and their sense
of balance.
3. Keep the lights on and stay up until your
teenager comes home.
4. Ask your teen for the time and watch the way he or she
looks at his or her watch.
5. If your teenager unexpectedly wants to spend
the night at a friend's house, and you have concerns, say no.
6. Maintain a flexible schedule. Be unpredictable
so your teen cannot find it easy to plan around your activities.
7. Keep abreast of what your teen is really
doing when away from home. Meet their friends and their
parents and participate in mutual activities.
This is a very effective form of networking.
8. Ask your neighbors to discretely keep an eye
on any activities that may take place while you are not home.
9. Check to see how your teens are doing in school.
Ask their teachers if there is any cause for concern or
if your teen has been behaving differently.
10. After you meet your teenager's friends, always
ask them to identify themselves when they call.
Get to know them. Always encourage your teens
to invite their friends over while you are home.
Remember, your goal should be to prevent your teenager
from feeling free to experiment with drugs or alcohol.
The best way to accomplish this is to keep abreast of
their activities and friends using the above methods.
Lastly, but most important, talk to your teenager on
a regular basis about the drug use she witnesses,
and how she feels about it. Also, if she has been
approached, have her describe how she handled the
situation. Strive for honesty and ask how you can
help her to remain drug free.
I was about to conquer the world but then I got distracted by something shiny.
