Some signs that your child may have a problem with drugs or alcohol include mood changes (temper, irritability, defensiveness), problems at school (changes in grades, attendance), changes in friends, changes in appearance, a lack of involvement in former interests. In addition, look for physical and mental changes in your child (poor concentration, bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech.) Also finding drugs or alcohol in your child’s room or on their belongings can also indicate a problem.

Binge drinking is drinking for the primary purpose of getting drunk. For a male, 5 or more in a drinking session is considered binge drinking. For a female, 4 or more in a drinking session is considered binge drinking. It often leads to other harmful behavior such as driving while intoxicated, fighting, or risky sex.

“Bath salts” are drugs that can make the user feel full of energy. Other effects the user may feel are agitation, blurred vision, depression, hallucinations, manic episodes, memory loss, nausea, paranoia, seizures, and in some cases death. In 2012, North Carolina as well as 34 other states banned these substances as well as other synthetic drugs.

Read about “Bath Salts: The Drug that Never Let’s Go”

The CASAColumbia 2012 National Survey found that compared to teens who have never seen pictures on Facebook or another social networking site of kids getting drunk, passed out, or using drugs, teens who have seen such pictures are:

• 4 times likelier to have used marijuana (25 percent vs. 6 percent)
• More than 3 times likelier to have used alcohol (43 percent vs. 13 percent)
• Almost 3 times likelier to have used tobacco (16 percent vs. 6 percent).

Prescription drug abuse is the Nation’s fastest-growing drug problem, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified prescription drug abuse as an epidemic. Commonly abused classes of prescription drugs include opioids (for pain), central nervous system (CNS) depressants (for anxiety and sleep disorders), and stimulants (for ADHD and narcolepsy). Click here for more information on prescription drugs.

The Partnership at Drugfree.org recommends six alternatives to reduce the chance that adolescents will drink, use drugs, or engage in other risky behaviors.

• Build and maintain a supportive relationship with your child.
• Be a good role model when it comes to drinking, taking medicine, and handling stress.
• Know your child’s risk level. Decades of research have shown that some teens are at higher risk than others to develop substance abuse problems. Some of the common risk factors associated with drug and alcohol abuse are, family history, mental or behavioral disorder, trauma, and impulse control problems.
• Know your child’s friends.
• Monitor, supervise, and set boundaries.
• Have ongoing conversations and provide information about drugs and alcohol. An open communication with your teenager can help build a healthy, supportive relationship. Besides, it can also avoid and reduce conflict in your relationship.

Marijuana has a chemical in it called THC. THC affects parts of the brain that control learning and memory. As a person uses more marijuana, it may become harder to learn new things and remember old things. When smoked, marijuana can also damage your lungs and breathing. And did you know that marijuana is addictive? Which means the user needs the drug to feel “normal.” If you want more information about marijuana and its effect on the body, Click here.