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Violence Drugs and Alcohol Use Exercise - Identify Your Child’s Risky Behavior

When kids can’t cope with their feelings of Many kids turn to alcohol and drugs to This is a list of warning signs that your child may be experiencing more than just the
embarrassment, frustration, hurt, fear, shame, numb their pain from the pressures and usual challenges of growing up. Look through the list and check off any signs you see
or sadness they can often lash out with violence problems they meet growing up. They may in your child right now. When kids show several of these warning signs, you need to
and anger. also be more affected by peer pressure and take action to find out what is going on and get additional help from other people.

Signs: use drugs or alcohol to try and fit in with their friends. Warning Signs I think.. I feel... I suspect...
„ Playing with weapons Signs: ‰ Dropping grades
„ Obsessively watching violent movies, „ Changes in appetite, sleep, weight loss ‰ Loss of interest in activities
playing violent games, visiting websites that „ Smells on body or clothing, changes in personal ‰ Sudden change in friends
glamorize violence habits and grooming ‰ Deliberately trying not to fit in
„ Threatening or bullying others „ Dropping grades, skipping classes ‰ Extreme mood swings

„ Violent temper- getting into fights
„ Secretive or suspicious behavior ‰ Violent temper, fighting, trouble with police
How to Help: „ Mood swings, seems spaced out or hung over ‰ Becomes secretive
„ Find out what’s behind the violence ‰ Doesn’t follow rules and limits
„ Find healthy ways for kids to relieve anger. „ Drug paraphernalia ‰ Lies to avoid consequences of actions
Exercise, sports, a punching bag or a pillow How to Help:
can give kids relief. „ Get help - Have a trusted friend, relative, counselor or ‰ Experiments with alcohol and drugs Actions to Take
„ Set rules and boundaries. It’s OK to feel coach talk to them ‰ Defiant attitude and open rebellion
angry, but you can’t physically hurt people. ‰ Spends too much time alone
„ Set rules and boundaries
‰ Sleeps all the time or can’t sleep
Depression, Self-Harm, and Eating „ Monitor their activity - It’s OK to snoop, looking for ‰ Extreme weight loss or gain

Disorders drugs and alcohol. ‰ Change in appearance

The pain of dealing with strong emotions and intense Sexual Activity ‰ Signs of cutting or self-harm
pressure can lead some kids to depression, resulting in Many teens become sexually active due to fit in ‰ Rapid changes in personality
eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, or cutting as with peers or pressure from a partner. Guys tend
a way to cope. Signs: to use love to get sex and girls use sex to get ‰ Depression
„ Changes in appetite, sleep, weight love. 42% of teens 15-19 are having sex.
„ Loss of interest in normal activities How to Help: Helping Troubled Kids - Where do you turn when you do have a troubled kid?
„ Mention of hurting himself or cutting „ Talk to your child about sex early and be „ Talk to your child, see if you can get them to tell you what’s going on.
„ Obsessive body image concerns there when they want to talk „ Add structure to your home life - eat meals together, set limits on phone and computer use, help kids to
„ Moodiness and change in friends. „ Share your values and concerns, talk about eat right, exercise, and get enough sleep.

How to Help: the risks without threats „ Turn to friends and family, a sports coach, or religious leader who may be able to connect with your child.
„ Start by talking to your child. Talk to your doctor and „ Go over safe sex practices- give information „ Consider school guidance counselors, outside counselors, social workers, and psychiatrists.
get professional help from counselors or psychiatrists about birth control and protection from
„ Medication or treatment may help with depression and sexually transmitted diseases. „ Get them involved in youth groups, YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs.
health issues. „ Check out special treatment centers or camps.