How Your Child’s Room Can Reveal Drug and Alcohol Abuse

If one has a hunch that their child is using drugs or alcohol, it’s time to investigate. Thankfully, we’re going to provide some excellent information so you can discover whether or not your child is dabbling in illegal substances. With this being said, here’s a look at how your child’s room can reveal drug and alcohol abuse.

Signs To Look For

Before you dive head first into their room to investigate, there’s a few signs to look for regarding their behavior to see if a problem is present.

According to Nope Task Force, the signs to look for on the child would be:

• Are they using eye drops?
• Are prescription drugs missing from your cabinet?
• Is the child covering up smells on their breath or in their room?
• Does the child receive phone calls from or meet up with someone you’ve never met?

If you can shake your head yes to any of these questions, you may want to pay further attention to such things as:

• If the child has slurred, rapid, or excessive speech.
• If the child makes paranoid or bizarre comments.
• If the child is forgetful.
• If the child has a hard time expressing their thoughts.
• If the child is tipsy, has poor balance, or lacks coordination.
• If the child has moments of “spaciness” and has the inability to follow or concentrate on a conversation.
• If the child’s eyes are bloodshot.
• If the child has small or dilated pupils.
• If the child experiences jumpiness, jitters, or excessive sweating.
• If the child is nodding off (head falling forward; eyes closing).
• If the child is excessively wiping or rubbing their nose; nosebleeds.
• Before talking to you or getting near you, does the child drink a flavored drink, chew gum, or pop in a breath mint (to cover smoke or alcohol smells).
• If the child has drug paraphernalia such as plastic bags, straws, pipes, rolling papers, or tin foil in their possession.
• If the child has an abundant accumulation of over the counter medicine.
• If the child has an abundant accumulation of products to inhale (nail polish, hairspray, or glue).

If your child falls into any of the questionable categories, it’s time to investigate what they might have stored in their room. You have the upper hand here (you pay the bills), so it’s time to flex your muscles.

What To Look For In Their Room

Children can have the idea that they’re very clever when it comes to concealing drugs and alcohol in their room.

According to DrugFree.org, the places you should search in their room should be:

• Search in the child’s dresser drawers, then search between (and beneath) clothes.
• Search the child’s desk drawers.
• Search in the child’s DVD/CD cases.
• Search in any of the child’s small boxes (whether it be pencil, jewelry, or any other small small box).
• Search in the child’s duffle bag or backpack.
• Search under the child’s bed.
• If the child has plants, search in the dirt of the plant.
• Search in between the child’s books (or inside books) if they have a bookshelf.
• Search in the child’s makeup cases (such as fake compacts or lipstick tubes).
• Search under loose planks or floor boards.
• Search in over the counter medicine containers (such as Advil, Tylenol, or any other medicine container).
• Search inside of empty candy bags that the child may have around.

Since you’re in a unique spot (you’re their parent), you can effectively investigate the situation and dismiss it before the problem take a hold of their life. Since it’s unlikely that their friends will notify you of the issue, you’ll need to confront them regarding the matter to reach a conclusion.

Source

http://www.drugfree.org/resources/searching-childs-room/