$Unique_ID{BRK00804}
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$Title{How Can a Parent Tell if a Child is on Cocaine?}
$Subject{cocaine teen teens teenager teenagers Community Social grooming sleep
pattern friends school attendance drop grades child care behavior behaviors}
$Volume{Q-23,S-23}
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Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


How Can a Parent Tell if a Child is on Cocaine?


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QUESTION:  Please help a distressed parent.  I fear that my kid is on cocaine.
How can I tell and what can I do about it?

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ANSWER:  Cocaine is unfortunately widely available in our society and
teenagers have access to it either as powder for snorting or as crack for
smoking.  You are right to feel worried.  If you suspect your child is abusing
cocaine, the major warning signal is change:  change in appearance or
grooming; change in sleep pattern; change in friends; change in school
attendance; or change (usually a drop) in grades.  More serious signs are
running away from home or suicide attempts.
     There are three "stages" of drug abuse.  In the experimentation stage,
your child may have used cocaine in a limited fashion on weekends and there
may be no change in behavior or conduct.  The second stage is actively seeking
out drugs, when the drug user may turn to drugs during times of stress and
there may be a change in behavior or conduct.  In the third stage, the user is
preoccupied with drugs and has lost control over them.  If drug use is stopped
now, withdrawal symptoms occur.  At this point, a user may start stealing in
order to get drug money.
     Bear in mind that your child may be experimenting and may not be addicted
to cocaine.  However, even limited smoking of crack can quickly lead to
dependence and must be stopped.  Teenagers also run the risk of interfering
with normal growth by using drugs.
     The next step is for you to take action, sometimes a most difficult task.
The first thing to do is talk WITH your child (as contrasted to talking TO
your child).  Build your child's self-esteem and give advice without frequent
criticism.  If talking with your child is a problem, get outside help.  Your
Family Physician or a school guidance counselor can advise you and your child.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.