Your Child's Health/Family Life



	uddenly, your teen-ager is having trouble in school. Relationships with teachers, friends, siblings — and you — are falling apart. Your child has a new set of friends and no longer seems interested in favorite activities. A frightening question weighs on your mind: "Is my child using drugs or alcohol?" Being attentive and supportive yet setting clear expectations may be extremely important to your teen-ager's well-being. "Since ups and downs are a normal part of adolescence, look for significant patterns," says Shari Scott, psychiatric consult liaison nurse and family therapist at Children's Medical Center Dallas. A significant pattern of change — Change in friends — Change in school function or grades — Lack of enjoyment or engagement in activities that were previously sought out — Change in dress or attention to appearance — Change in pattern of communication with parents and other adults or friends Drastic mood shifts An increase in isolation or withdrawal Skipping school Increased secrecy Lack of overall motivation and energy Physical symptoms — Presence of drug paraphernalia — Smell of alcohol or other odd smells on clothes or breath — Inappropriate giddiness or laughter — Unbalanced gait — Dilated or restricted pupils If parents discover that their teen is abusing drugs or alcohol, Scott advises parents to seek professional intervention immediately. Teens may drink or use drugs to treat the symptoms of other disorders, such as depression or anxiety. An evaluation by an expert in drug and alcohol treatment may be facilitated by a family's physician or school counselor.