Parent Services
If there is a marked changed in their behaviour that makes you wonder what is going on, if you suspect that your son or daughter might be using drugs, we can help you with these concerns. Through our comprehensive family assessment process, we will identify if there is a problem to be concerned about, develop a course of action to help your son/daughter be a part of the assessment and develop a plan to address the issues that are affecting your family. Substance abuse treatment for the adolescent or young adult is highly specialized and members of the Recovery Counselling Team have the expertise to work with adolescents and young adults who may not be able to acknowledge or recognize that their substance use is negatively effecting their lives as well as the lives of their families. Our family centred approach means that we work with parents and the adolescent or young adult that is coming for help. If you are wondering about your son or daughter’s substance use, take a look at the indicators below. Parent’s educators. and other significant persons in an adolescent's life observe these warning signs, a cooperative effort should be undertaken. An assessment should be made by a competent professional to determine if alcohol/chemical dependency exits, or if another problem requiring professional help is present. Once an appropriate assessment is made, treatment alternatives can be explored with the adolescent/young adult and family members.
Behaviours listed below are indicators that a substance abuse problem may exist in a young persons life.
- Sudden drop or gradual lowering of grades and achievement levels (reasons unclear).
- Academic failure (sudden).
- Skipping of classes or days at school.
- Dropping out of sports and other extra-curricular activities.
- Disrespect/defiance towards teachers, rules, and regulations.
- Suspensions/expulsions.
- Inattentive in class.
- Increase in disciplinary actions.
- Sleeping in class.
- Wandering in hallways or school grounds.
- Frequently asking to be excused.
- Lack of response to concern expressed by teacher, guidance counsellor, or any school staff regarding any of the above.
- Excessive use of cell phone, excessive texting.
- Writing drug slang or phrases on school notebooks and yearbook.
- Easily upset, rapid change in emotional state.
- Weight changes; drastic loss or gain.
- Smell of alcohol on breath or of marijuana on clothing.
- Slurred speech or changes in speech pattern.
- More frequent physical injuries, bruises, scrapes, or cuts.
- Burn marks on clothes, car interior, or on hands.
- Changes in hygiene, less care taken, wears same clothes over and over.
- Withdrawal from peers and family.
- Very defensive especially concerning use of drugs and/or alcohol.
- Changes in sexual behavior.
- Blatant defiant, argumentative, and even hostile to family members.
- Alcohol hangovers (throwing up, increased anxiety, headaches, shakes).
- Reddened eyes and frequent use of eye drops, deep persistent cough, raspy throat.
- Apathy, lethargy, low motivation, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
- Undisciplined; doesn't get things done on time or as agreed.
- Blackouts; periods of memory loss.
- Sometimes inappropriately happy; sometimes inexplicably depressed.
- Nervous, agitated, has trouble sitting still.
- Less hopeful and more cynical about life.
- Erratic financial habits; spending more, needing more.
- Paraphernalia kept; rolling papers, pipes, roach clips, eye drops, etc.
- Possession of pharmaceutical drugs like Ritalin or over-the-counter drugs such as cough medicine, cold medicine, motion sickness pills, etc. without any medical reason.
- Sudden change in slang; increased use of profanity and "druggie" behaviour.
- Suicide attempts or talk of suicide.
- Visits to emergency room or psychiatric hospital due to overdoses or mental instability.
- Changing attitude toward non-using friends.
- Change in peer group with little interest in old friends.
- Parents don't know friends; can't get names or addresses.
- Begins to associate with an older crowd.
- Fights with peers and siblings.
- DWI/DUI and/or drug-related arrests.
- Accidents or near misses.
- Speeding/carelessness while driving.
- Thefts, assaults, or other infringements of law.
- Selling of drugs, alcohol.
- Drinking underage or using in public places.
- Illegal possession of drugs.
If parents, school personnel, or other significant persons in an adolescent's life observe these warning signs, a cooperative effort should be undertaken. An assessment should be made by a qualified professional to determine if alcohol/chemical dependency exits, or if another problem requiring professional help is present. Once an appropriate assessment is made, treatment alternatives can be explored with the adolescent and family members. Hamish White and his team at Recovery Counselling Services are experts at providing assessments and consultations in a timely, professional, and caring way. Give us a call, we can help.