Some people grow out of their use of alcohol and other drugs. But since there is no certain way to predict which teenagers will develop serious problems, all use should be considered potentially dangerous. Highest on the list are those teenagers with a family history of Substance Abuse problems. Although the use of some drugs has leveled off recently, the use of others has not. The Victorian Drug Strategy Section of the Dept of Health conduct a regular school survey of drug use.
Most adolescents continue using the earlier drugs as they begin using still others.
Some of the warning signs listed above can also be signs of other problems. Parents may recognise signs of trouble but should not be expected to make the diagnosis. An effective way for parents to show care and concern for their teenager is to honestly discuss with them, the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Consulting a general practitioner to rule out physical causes of the warning signs is a good first step. This should often be followed or accompanied by a comprehensive evaluation by an expert in adolescent health.