If you suspect your child may be using alcohol and/or drugs 

The following symptoms may indicate alcohol or drug use. It’s important to remember that adolescence is a time for changes, so look for a SERIES OF SYMPTOMS, not just an isolated or single behaviour. Most of these symptoms could, in fact, be classified as ‘normal’ teenage behaviour.

BEHAVIOUR  Nasty, moody, irritable, unreasonable, angry, lying, occasional memory loss, slurred or slow speech, lack of energy, apathy, poor co-ordination, loss of involvement or enthusiasm, overreaction to criticism and lack of pride in appearance.

ILLNESS  Frequently ill in the morning, miraculously well in the evening and chronic coughing.

CHANGES FRIENDS  Drops old friends, has new friends you don’t know, makes private phone calls and has private meetings away from home.

MONEY  Unable to explain how money is spent or where money comes from. Unable to explain new purchases or acquisitions.

SCHOOL PROBLEMS  Unusual lateness, truancy, teachers notice a change in behaviour and performance.

OTHER CHANGES  No interaction with family, hides in room, sleeping habits change, hangs out in parks, malls and withdraws from sports or hobbies.

OBVIOUS USE  Red eyed, glassy eyed, alcohol smell and incoherent.

OTHER POSSIBLE SIGNS  Tin foil in bedrooms, cigarette papers when there is no evidence they smoke cigarettes, strong glues when they do not make models, lengths being cut off the garden hose, plastic fizzy drink bottles found with holes cut in them, household aerosols and light bulbs being used up quickly, blackened knives or spoons and black marks on stove elements.

When things go wrong…

Most teenagers will experiment with alcohol. Getting it wrong is pretty common – teenagers don’t come with a ‘How to’ manual.

Even with the best parents in the world, young people can still get into trouble!

Many young people go through a period of heavy drinking, most get through it OK! 

Do not try to reason with a drunk and/or stoned teenager. Wait until the morning when they are sober/straight and you are less angry. If they are drunk, unconscious or vomiting continuously, don’t leave them alone. Put them on their side in the recovery position. Make sure they are breathing and their mouths are empty. Keep them warm.

If you are unable to wake them, dial 111 – ask for an ambulance or take them to an Accident and Emergency Department.

When you do talk about it with them, go back to any agreements you made between you. If consequences were agreed to, they MUST BE carried out. Explain to them why their behaviour is unacceptable to you and how you feel about it.

Alcohol and drug helpline 0800 787 797 CAMHS

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (BOPDHB)

Salvation Army Bridge Programme Tauranga 07 578 5055

Get Smart Tauranga Drug and Alcohol Service  07 571 3712 or 027 4GTSMRT www.getsmarttga.org.nz

Ngaiterangi Iwi CAYAD 575 3765

Ngaiterangi Iwi Alcohol and Drug Directory March 2009

Ngati Kahu Hauora 576 0160

Te Manu Toroa 571 2026 

Alcohol Advisory Council (ALAC) have lots of information on their website www.alcohol.org.nz

Amped4life drug information and programmes www.amped4life.net.nz

Foundation for alcohol and drug education www.fade.org.nz 

NZ Drug Foundation www.nzdf.org.nz