THE ENDLESS TUNNEL
There may be different causes leading to drug addiction.
Teenagers may use drugs as a means of temporary alleviation of the discomforts connected to life events which they perceive as being out of their control and can be seen as a conseguence of family risk factors.
However family disruption may not directly lead to drug use; rather family problems may lead to disenchantment with traditional values and the development of deviant attitudes, which may in turn lay the foundation for substance abuse.
WARNING SIGNS OF TEENAGE DRUG ABUSE
It is important to keep in mind that if teenagers show some of the following signs, it does not necessarily mean that they are abusing drugs since there are other causes for these behaviours.
Teenagers may use drugs as a means of temporary alleviation of the discomforts connected to life events which they perceive as being out of their control and can be seen as a conseguence of family risk factors.
However family disruption may not directly lead to drug use; rather family problems may lead to disenchantment with traditional values and the development of deviant attitudes, which may in turn lay the foundation for substance abuse.
WARNING SIGNS OF TEENAGE DRUG ABUSE
It is important to keep in mind that if teenagers show some of the following signs, it does not necessarily mean that they are abusing drugs since there are other causes for these behaviours.
SIGNS AT HOME:
- loss of interest in family activities
- disrespect for family rules
- sudden increase or decrease in appetite
- not coming back on time
- lies about activities
SIGNS AT SCHOOL
- sudden drop in grades
- loss of interest in learning
- sleeping in class
- defiant of authority
- not doing homework
PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SIGNS:
- new friends
- smell of alcohol or marijuana on breath or body
- negative, paranoid or confused, destructive, anxious
- drastic weight loss or gain
- unhappy and depressed
