SIGNS YOUR TEEN IS USING DRUGS OR ALCOHOL & WHERE TO GET HELP

SIGNS OF DRUG OR ALCOHOL USE Beware of older friends and associates Pay attention to lack of emotion and a consistently negative attitude Pay attention to how cash is spent Keep track of mileage on vehicle Drastic change in style, such as clothing and music Missing spoons, torn up soda cans, little Ziploc bags, small pieces of foil Avoidance of conversation, claiming to be misunderstood Long sleeves or inappropriate clothing for the weather Sleeping more/or less than usual Always having somewhere to be, persistent telephone calls, anxious to leave any family event, constantly being preoccupied Upset stomach, nausea Bad acne outbreaks, UTI's due to toxins Consistently missing school on Monday, never Friday Females not menstruating regularly Valuable personal items come up "missing" or "borrowed" Always scratching; dry red nose and face Check cars, bedrooms, closets, trunks and stereos for drug residue and alcohol containers Seeds in car seat and in pockets.		HELPFUL HINTS Your child needs you, their parent not another friend. Remember your kids may be offered drugs at school or at their workplace on a regular basis. If you don't talk to them about drugs...SOMEONE ELSE WILL. Between 3-6pm is statistically the most dangerous times for drug use among teens. Know your child's friends' first and last names. Give your child a reason/excuse to say no - my parents drug test, my mom would kill me if I use, the car will be taken away, etc. Keep track of prescription medication. Don't believe the statement "They're not my drugs, I'm keeping them for a friend." Enforcing rules NOW will help your kid's life in the future. Good kids make bad decisions.
WHERE TO GET HELP Porter County Substance Abuse Council Grants, drug testing kits for parents, drug and alcohol information www.portercountysac.org Porter County Drug Task Force If you have information on drug dealers or users call Porter Starke Services Adult and Adolescent drug outpatient programs www.porterstarke.org Choices Valparaiso - Drug and alcohol individual and group therapy www.saveourspeech.com Care Counseling Adult outpatient programs Frontline Foundation Chesterton & Valparaiso IN www.frontlinefoundations.com Alice's Halfway House for Women -18 and older www.alicevalpo.org Women's Recovery House Women's Boarding House for women in recovery www.porterstarke.org Moraine House Men's Halfway House -18 and older www.morainehouse.org Men's Respite House Valparaiso, IN www.RespiteHouse.org Hazelden Center City, MN - Adult and adolescent inpatient care www.hazelden.org Michiana Behavioral Health Plymouth, IN www.michianabehavioralhealthcenter.com Regional Mental Health Center Merrillville, IN www.regionalmentalhealth.org St. Margaret Mercy Healthcare Dyer, IN www.smmhc.com 462-0946 465-3629 531-3500 548-8727 759-6760 728-1638 462-7600 464-2128 464-9983 219-548-1300 800-257-7810 574-936-3784 219-769-4005 219-865-2141