Other Resources
Online • Books • Resource Numbers
Signs and Symptoms of Drug/Alcohol Use
What do you do if you think your teen is using drugs or alcohol?
Online
Helpful websites for parents and others who work with and love kids
For Parents
- www.bbfaprevention.org - Birmingham Bloomfield Families in Action - parenting programs
- www.drugfree.org - Partnership for a drug free America
- www.theantidrug.com - Help for parents on all issues regarding teens (E-mail newsletter available)
- www.parentingisprevention.org - Keeping your family healthy and drug free
- www.jointogether.org - Latest alcohol & drug headlines and research (Free e-mail news service)
- www.inhalant.org - The truth about inhalants
- www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov - For parents who have kids nearing college age
- www.oakgov.com/circuit/assets/docs/parentingcalendar.pdf - Parenting programs in Oakland County
- www.oakgov.com/health - Health information
- www.ncadi.samhsa.gov - Alcohol and drug information
- www.drugabuse.gov - The science of drug abuse and addiction
- www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org - National suicide prevention lifeline
- www.mediacampaign.org - Resources and links to community groups and media
- www.kidshealth.org - Separate information for parents, kids, and teens
- www.connectwithkids.com - Helping parents and educators with kids issues
- www.preventionnetwork.org - Michigan network on substance abuse prevention
- www.edreferral.com - Eating disorder referral and information center
- www.nationalyouth.com - National Youth Network
- www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov - Help regarding bullying
- www.parentcenter.com - Helpful e-newsletter
- www.talkingwithkids.org - Variety of topics covered
Directed at Teens but Great for Parents
- http://www.abovetheinfluence.com - Interactive website - Information for teens and their parents
- http://www.checkyourself.com - For teens to check themselves
- http://www.freevibe.com - Help, information, real stories
- http://www.teens.drugabuse.gov - Information for teens
- http://justthinktwice.com - Get the facts
Compiled by the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition - 2007
www.gwbcoalition.org
Books
Helpful Books about Parenting Issues and Concerns
| Yes, Your Teen is Crazy!: Loving Your Kid Without Losing Your Mind |
| Bradley, Michael. |
| Parenting Teens With Love & Logic: Preparing Adolescents for Responsible Adulthood |
| Cline, Foster W. M.D. and Jim Fay. |
| The Unhappy Child: What Every Parent Needs to Know |
| Condrell, Kenneth N |
| Girls Will be Girls: Raising Confident and Courageous Daughters |
| Deak, JoAnn and Teresa Barker |
| Parents Under Seige: Why You are the Solution, Not the Problem, in Your Child’s Life |
| Garbarino, James and Claire Bedard |
| How to Say It to Teens: Talking About the Most Important Topics of Their Lives |
| Heyman, Richard |
| Always My Child: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Your Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, or Questioning Son or Daughter |
| Jennings, Kevin |
| Too Much of a Good Thing: Raising Children of Character in an Indulgent Age |
| Kindlon, David |
| The Price of Privilege: How the Culture of Affluence Challenges Parents and Puts Children at Risk |
| Levine, Madeline |
| Hearing is Believing: How Words Can Make or Break our Kids |
| Medhus, Elisa |
| Positive Discipline A-Z: From Toddlers to Teens, 1001 Solutions to Everyday Parenting Problems |
| Nelsen, Jane, H. Stephen Glenn and Lynn Lott |
| Real Boys: Rescuing Our Sons From the Myths of Boyhood |
| Pollack, William |
| How to Talk to Teens About Really Important Things: Specific Questions and Answers and Useful Things to Say |
| Schaefer, Charles E. and Theresa F. DiGeronimo |
| Parenting Your Out-Of-Control Teenager: 7 Steps to Reestablish Authority and Reclaim Love |
| Sells, Scott P. |
| The Second Family: How Adolescent Power is Challenging the American Family |
| Taffel, Ron with Melinda Blau |
| Parents are Forever: A Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming Successful Co-parents after Divorce |
| Thomas, Shirley |
| Youth, Pornography and the Internet |
| Thornburgh, Dick and Herbert S. Lin |
| "Get Out of My Life, but First Could You Drive Me and Cheryl to the Mall?": A Parent’s Guide to the New Teenager |
| Wolf, Anthony E. |
| Why Do They Act That Way: A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for you and Your Teen |
| Walsh, David |
| Healthy Teens: Facing the Challenges of Young Life |
| McCarthy, Alice R. |
Compiled by the West Bloomfield Township Public Library
Resource Numbers
Contact telephone numbers
POLICE DEPARTMENTS | |
| Birmingham | 248.644.3405 |
| Beverly Hills | 248.540.3400 |
| Bloomfield Township | 248.433.7755 |
| City of Bloomfield Hills | 248.644.4200 |
| Bingham Farms/Franklin | 248.626.9672 |
CRISIS LINE | |
| Common Ground Sanctuary | 800.231.1127 (24 hours) |
| Teen 2 Teen Talkline | 248.292.0194 (Monday-Friday 4-10 p.m.) |
| AIDS Hotline | 800.872.AIDS (2437) |
| Parents Help Line | 800.942.4367 |
| Poison Control | 800.222.1222 |
ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE | |
| Alateen/Alanon | 800.813.3105 |
| Alcoholics Anonymous | 248.541.6565 or 248.332.6116 |
| Narcotics Anonymous | 248.543.7200 |
| Families Anonymous | 800.736.9805 |
| Common Ground Sanctuary | 800.231.1127 (24 hours) |
| Oakland Family Services | 248.477.6767 |
COUNSELING | |
| Common Ground Sanctuary | 800.231.1127 (24 hours) |
| Oakland County Youth Assistance | 248.858.0050 |
| Birmingham Youth Assistance | 248.642.4882 |
| Bloomfield Youth Guidance | 248.341.5680 |
| Oakland Family Services | 248.858.7766 |
| Henry Ford Maplegrove | 248.661.6100 |
| Jewish Family Services | 248.592.2300 |
| Pathway Family Center | 800.261.4605 |
| Community Resource Network | 248.994-8001 |
| Easter Seals | 248.858.5326 |
CHILD & FAMILY VIOLENCE | |
| Oakland County Protective Services | 248.975.5010 (24 hours) |
| H.A.V.E.N | 877.922.1274 (24 hours) |
RUNAWAY SERVICES | |
| Common Ground Sanctuary | 248.547.2260 |
| Runaway RAP Line | 800.292.4517 |
SUICIDE PREVENTION | |
| Common Ground Sanctuary | 800.231.1127 (24 hours) |
| Teen 2 Teen Talkline | 248.292.0194 (Monday-Friday 4-10 p.m.) |
Signs and Symptoms of Drug/Alcohol Use
Any of the following behaviors can be symptoms of normal adolescence. However, when you are seeing more than one or two, you may have reason to be concerned. Listening to your "gut" feelings can be very wise.
- Personality Changes
- Less involved with family activities
- Lack of motivation
- Poor communication
- Periods of paranoia due to fear of getting "busted"
- Unexplained mood and energy swings
- Physical Evidence
- Eye drops (Visine, Murine, etc)
- Mouthwash or strong mints
- Cigarette rolling papers
- Pipes: water, glass, metal, made from tinfoil, pop cans with hole
- Seeds (from marijuana)
- Incense or other room deodorizers
- Cardboard tube from toilet paper with fabric softener sheet inside.
- "Stash" cans or boxes - candy containers like Mini M&Ms or Altoids
- Shirts, belts, computer or cell phone screen savers with mushroom, marijuana leaves or other drug insignia.
- Prescription bottles, possible from family medicine cabinet
- Beer or liquor missing or diluted from parents’ cabinet
- Physical Changes
- Dilated or noticeably constricted pupils.
- Unkempt appearance
- Changes in grooming habits
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Changes in eating habits
- Weight loss, pale face, dark circles under eyes
- Dramatic change in choice of clothing
- Red eyes or frequent use of eye drops
- Unexplained skin rashes, increased acne
- Runny nose
- Behavioral Changes
- School attendance problems
- Drop in grades
- Refusal to do homework stating none was assigned or that they finished it in school.
- Increased need for money
- Quitting or getting fired from a job
- New friends with no last names and no parent contact
- Cell phone calls which go unanswered if a parent is around
- Difficulty concentrating
- Anger management problems
- Isolating in room or away from home
Source: What Every Parent Should Know . . . A Resource Guide published by the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition and the West Bloomfield Township Public Library.
What do you do if you think your teen is using drugs or alcohol?
It is one of those things that you hope you never have to face. The fear, apprehension, and confusion can be pretty overwhelming and many parents will second guess themselves for months; "I am just imagining things", "...all teens pull away, its normal." "...we’ve known those kids since 1st grade, if there was a problem we would know." But when you are seeing communication shutting down, reclusive behavior, and some of the symptoms listed above, it may be time to act. Where do you start?
Decide what you are comfortable doing if you find your teen is using alcohol or other drugs. If you are going to drug test them, do you want to do it at home with a kit from the drug store or your local police department or do you want it done at a professional facility such as a doctor’s office? If you think that your teen may need professional treatment, have the numbers of local facilities available and also contact your insurance company, as many insurers will only cover treatment at specific facilities.
Every so often, when a teen is discovered to be using alcohol or other drugs, they want the opportunity to stop by themselves, and sometimes that is all that is needed to turn things around. Other times, those teens search for different ways of handling their stress. It is not uncommon to see eating disorders or other self-destructive behaviors such as cutting or burning, in adolescents looking for a way to relieve their anxiety and depression. If your child is hurting him or herself, get help.
Make a Plan - Listen - Discuss - Set Clear Consequences
Work around Road Blocks - Continue the Conversation
You are the experts on your children
Underage drinking in Michigan
Click on the image below to download the article in pdf format.
