Parenting Tips for Drug-Proofing Your Kids

Is Your Child Chemically Dependent?

Some symptoms of alcohol and/or drug abuse in children are not clear-cut. Many of the following signs can occur in normal adolescent behavior or with medical problems. It is, however, important to be alert to some common patterns of behavior which in combination may indicate involvement with alcohol and/or drugs.



• Has your child’s personality changed noticeably? Does he or she have sudden mood swings and unpredictable behavior?
  
• Does your child seem to be losing old friends and spending time with a new group about whom you know little or who are known “partiers”?
  
• Is your child unable to account for large sums of his or her money, or have you had objects or money disappear from your home?
  
• Does your child defend his or her “right to drink”?
  
• Is your child reluctant to talk about alcohol and/or drugs?
  
• Does your child lie about alcohol and/or drug use, as well as other activities?
  
• Have you ever found drug paraphernalia (e.g., cigarette papers, alligator clips, hemostats, empty baggies, vials, scraps of foil, lighters, butane torches, many burnt matches, small pipes [glass or metal], screen wire discs, bits of burnt steel wool, small spoons, straws) or beer or liquor bottles/cans in his or her room? Did your child make excuses, offer explanations, or state it “must belong to ___” or he or she is “just holding it” for a friend?
  
• Has your child lost interest in his or her physical appearance?
  
• Has your child admitted to trying alcohol or other drugs “just once” while denying any regular use?
  
• Are you hearing rumors about your child’s partying, drinking, poor attitude, etc.?
  
• Has your child been skipping school?
  
• Do you as parents conceal from each other information about your child’s behavior?
  
• Is your child suddenly less responsive? Is he or she losing interest in schoolwork, athletics, extracurricular activities, family, job and/or other previous interests?
  
• Have your child’s grades dropped? (Not necessarily from A’s to D’s or F’s, but from B’s to C’s?)
  
• Do you detect any of these physical symptoms: excessive fatigue, disturbed sleep patterns (both amount and schedule), chronic cough, chest pain, allergy or cold-like symptoms, vomiting, loss or gain of appetite, red eyes, and abnormal pupil size?
  
• Has your child’s relationship with the family deteriorated?
  
• Are there signs of apparent emotional problems such as depression, loneliness, paranoia, or withdrawal?

If you answered YES to any two questions, there is the possibility that your child may be developing a problem with alcohol or drugs. If you answered YES to three or more questions, chemical dependency is probably causing serious problems in your family. Seek assistance without delay.

The University’s Employee Assistance Program is a benefit that offers free counseling services and referrals at no cost to USM Employees and their household members. Plus, all EAP providers are professionals in their field, and are located throughout Maine. Their services are totally confidential by law. This means that neither your employer nor insurance company has access to any personal information you share (not even your name) with EAP providers.

To contact the University’s Employee Assistance Provider Cigna Behavioral Health, call 1-800-622-4327 or visit their website at www.cignabehavioralhealth.com

Six Parenting Tips for Drug-Proofing Your Kids

1. Start early. Even if your child is in kindergarten. At this age they are more receptive to your influence and authority.

2. Think prevention. Deal with the issue of drugs before it arises. Prevention is always the easiest solution.

3. Know the facts. Educate yourself. Know the common street drugs, their appearance, effects, symptoms, and uses. Your EAP can direct you to the information you need.

4. Establish rules. Teach family rules, just like traffic and school rules. Emphasize do’s and don’ts, then enforce them.

5. Teach values. Don’t be afraid to “impose” the values you believe are important.

6. Talk openly. Drugs are an unpleasant subject, but the longer you wait, the greater the potential danger.

Source: Cigna Behavioral Health