FIVE SIGNS THAT YOUR CHILD IS INVOLVED IN DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE - Leonard Mudhangu

First, we form them and then they form us, conquer your bad habits or they eventually conquer you- Dr. Gilbert.

One of the biggest challenges that many parents face is the problem of dealing with a child who is involved in drug or alcohol abuse. Peer pressure, stress, uncontrolled freedom are some of the reasons why some teenagers end up getting involved in drug abuse. l will touch some of the reasons why most teenagers get involved in drug or alcohol abuse.

Today, l just want to look into some of the immediate signs that show you that your child may be involved in drug or alcohol abuse.

1) Mostly, when teenagers are involved in drug abuse, they do not want to spend most of their time with their parents, they will be trying to hide their behaviour. If they have a room at home where they sleep they would prefer to be in their room. If you try to enter their room they
are not comfortable.

2) Teenagers want to keep extra cash to make sure whenever they want to buy drugs they can buy anytime. So they will always find ways to make sure you give them pocket money. It is better to trace every time why they need money.

3) Did you know that teenagers have got special ways to trick or threaten you so that you do not go after their bad habits? For example, they may pretend to be sick if you do not give them money. Once you give them that money to go and buy medicine they will go and buy their drugs or alcohol. Be very careful when your child falls sick now and again. Accompany them to the clinic or hospital if they say they are sick.

4) They often ask to go to the party at night even during school time and coming home late, this is the most VIVID sign many parents have use to observe if their teenagers are involved into drug abuse. In these late night parties they end up doing bad things like being involved in sexual activities too. Be very observant as a parent if your child starts to do this. They might be involved in drug abuse.

5) Teenagers threatens a lot, many at times, when you are not sure about your child and if you try to ask them whether they are involved they will threaten you with committing a bigger crime or even death if you continue suspecting them that they are involved in drug abuse. Their aim is to make sure you do not continue investigating that they are involved in drug abuse or not.

In conclusion, those are some of the immediate signs that your child may be involved in drug abuse. There are a lot of signs. In our next lesson l will explore reasons why they end up taking alcohol drugs.

Leonard Mudhangu is a Certified International Life-Coach and Teens
Specialist Coach based in Zimbabwe who can be contacted on his
email :chifambamudhangu@gmail.com for feedback .He can also be
contacted on his cell number :+263 771 978 270.