One of the scariest troubles a parent can face is drug and alcohol use by their child. Even the best parents can find themselves facing the devastating prospect that their child may be using drugs or alcohol. Drug and alcohol use are serious problems that require immediate and definite intervention. The sooner you identify drug or alcohol use in your child, the faster and surer the recovery process will be. Prolonged drug or alcohol use can lead to devastating behaviors, criminal activity, and more addicting and dangerous drug use. The longer the drug use continues, the harder it may be to remove your child from the world of drug and/or alcohol addiction.
There are many reasons children turn to drugs or alcohol. Peer pressure has been an influential factor in turning a child towards drugs or alcohol. But usually there is an underlying reason that made the child susceptible to the peer pressure and willing to try drug or alcohol consumption. Children that are victims of bullying or suffer from painful shyness may seek drugs and alcohol as a refuge. Drugs and alcohol may also make the child feel more accepted socially. Addiction can also stem from abuse, past or present. The abuse can come from anyone the child trusted at one time, friend or family. A strong connection has also been found between drug and alcohol addiction and certain mental illnesses, most commonly bipolar illness.
Whatever the reason caused your child to turn to drugs or alcohol, the most important step is identifying the problem and getting your child help. Once you have your child in a program to help deal with their drug/alcohol use, the underlying issues can be addressed to prevent a relapse. Counseling will help your child identify the problem and to learn to cope with it in a healthier way. Love, understanding, and acceptance from you will be needed to help heal the wounds they are bandaging with dangerous behavior.
The most common signs of drug or alcohol use are:
· Mood swings – Pre-teens and teens suffer from a lot of mood swings as their bodies undergo a barrage of changes. But if your child is moving quickly from euphoric feelings to edginess or anger, these are serious indications. Suspicious and paranoid feelings are also strong indicators.
· Change of friends – The presence of new friends without an association to your child’s old crowd can be a warning. This is especially true if you notice a change in your child’s behavior.
· Problems in school – If your child’s grades have dropped or there is sudden pattern of behavior problems there is cause for concern. Truancy and lateness are also indications.
· Significant Personality differences – Your child may become withdrawn, secretive, combative, listless, forgetful, and/or lethargic.
· Change in eating habits – A loss of interest in food or increased interest in food is notable. Sudden weight loss can be a sign.
· Change in sleeping habits – significant increases in sleep or insomnia are serious signs. Trouble sleeping and/or falling asleep can be signs.
· Appearance – Red eyes, appearing hung over or lifeless/listless
If your child is exhibiting several of the signs or symptoms above, you should be concerned. The more of the behaviors being exhibited, the more likely the chances are that your child is engaging in drugs or alcohol consumption. There are tests at the local drug stores you can give your child to make the determination. You should not warn your child before administering the test since they could take steps that may interfere with the accuracy of the results.
Don’t be afraid to talk to your child or get your child help. Your child may be angry with you and fight you. You need to remember your child is in need of immediate medical help. If you do not help your child now, you could lose your child to a life of illicit drug use or worse. And if your child is not using drugs or consuming alcohol but exhibits some of the symptoms above, there is still an underlying problem that must be addressed.
译文:
鉴定孩子吸毒的迹象
父母最担忧的事情是自己的孩子吸烟或酗酒。即使是最好的父母，如果他们的孩子吸烟或酗酒，他们都会觉得前途黑暗。吸烟和酗酒是严重的问题，父母应该采取及时和适当的措施来阻止它们。你越早觉察出你的孩子在吸毒或酗酒，你就能越早和越有把握地帮助他们洗心革面。吸毒或酗酒的时间越长，你越难帮你的孩子把这些恶习戒掉。
孩子吸烟或酗酒是由多种因素造成的。其中，来自同龄人的压力是最有影响力的因素之一。但通常来说，孩子易受同龄人压力地影响并愿意尝试吸毒和酗酒是有潜在原因的。那些受人欺负或者因胆怯而感到郁闷的孩子，他们可能会把毒药和酒当成一种慰藉。毒品和酒也许能让孩子觉得他们更能为这个社会所接受。对毒品或酒成瘾还可能是由于他们过去或现在受到虐待，虐待他们的可能是他们曾经信任的朋友或家人。此外，吸毒成瘾、酗酒成性还与某些心灵疾病有着密切地联系。其中，最常见的疾病是两级疾病。
无论是何种原因导致你的孩子吸烟或酗酒，最重要的一步是确认问题之所在并且帮助你的孩子。一但你开始帮助你的孩子戒除毒瘾或酒瘾，他们就会潜意识地防止旧病复发。咨询有助于你的孩子认清自身的问题。爱，理解和包容有助于治愈孩子们沉湎于此类恶习的伤痛。
吸烟或酗酒的迹象：
· 情绪波动：当未成年和青年遭受一连串的变化时，他们就会产生很强烈的情绪波动，这很正常。但如果你的孩子的情绪很快由极度愉快转向紧张烦躁或者愤怒，那么这就是危险的信号。此外，多疑和偏执也是很明显的迹象。
· 朋友的更换：当你的孩子身边出现新的朋友，但他们却与你的孩子的老朋友没有任何联系时，你就应该提高警惕了。如果你注意观察孩子的行为，你就会了解到这一点。
· 学校方面的问题：如果你的孩子成绩突然下降或者是行为方式突然发生变化，你应该引起关注。此外，旷课和迟到也是孩子成瘾的迹象。
· 性格的明显变化：你的孩子可能突然变得很离群，自闭，好斗，无精打采或者冷漠。
· 饮食习惯的改变：你的孩子会对食物明显不感兴趣或者食欲大增。
· 休息习惯的变化：睡眠明显增多或者失眠都是危险信号。此外，睡眠质量不好和入睡困难也是一大标志之一。
· 外表——脸上挂着红眼圈，无精打采。
如果你的孩子出现上诉几种的迹象，那你就要提高警惕了。以上的迹象出现得越频繁，你的孩子吸毒或酗酒的几率就越大。当地的药店有测试方法，你可以给你的孩子做鉴定。但为了避免孩子事前采取措施来干扰测试结果的正确性，在测试之前，你应该对你的孩子保密。
在与孩子谈话或帮助孩子时，你的孩子可能会生你的气并且和你对坑。但你必须牢记你的孩子需要及时的药物治疗。如果现在你不帮助他们，防之任之，你可能会任由你的孩子走上吸毒之路或者更加万劫不复的深渊。如果你的孩子没有吸毒但也出现以上几种迹象，那么你仍应该设法解决潜在的问题。