Today there are just as many teenage girls as there are boys who are involved in the use, sale, and consequences of alcohol or other drugs. Smoking cigarettes starts as young as eight years of age. Alcohol, marijuana, LSD, and psychedelic mushrooms are easily accessible, and crack cocaine and heroin are appearing on the high school scene. These are two very risky drugs that are very difficult to quit. Consequences of substance abuse include falling grades, behavioral problems, family problems, and legal problems.
Parents often note a change in attitude, a change in friends, or a change in appearance.
If you have concerns about your child, connect with the school guidance counselors or teachers. Get to know his or her friends and their parents and network with them. Our community offers many options for substance abuse problems. A visit to your family physician can also be of assistance. Denial is a large part of drug dependence and it is too often easy for the drug user to avoid confrontation regarding the problems caused by his or her substance abuse.