ADOLESCENT ALCOHOL PROBLEMS: DIAGNOSING ALCOHOL/SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Often the temptation is to disregard adolescent alcohol or drug problems as “just a stage,” or a normal feature of adolescence. The criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse in adolescents are the same as those for adults. It involves a pattern of pathological use and impairment in social or occupational functioning due to use. Common signs of adolescent alcohol/substance abuse include the following:unexplained drop in gradesirregular school attendanceunaccounted for personal timewearing “druggie” clothing or jeweleryincreased money or poor justification of how money was spentchange in personal prioritiesnew group of friendschange in health or groomingfailure to provide specific answers to questions about activitiespossession of “drug” materialsdesire to be secretive or isolatedunexplained disappearance of possessions in the home Other symptoms-one may see in adolescents are:decreased interest in school or family social activities, sports and hobbiesattending parties where parents are not home to monitor behaviorfrequent “flu” episodes, chronic cough, chest pains, “allergy symptoms”impaired ability to fight off common infections, fatigue, and loss of vitalitystrange phone callsnot returning home after schoolnot bringing friends homecollecting beer cans, pot paraphernalia, etc.drop in school performanceinexplicable mood changes—irritability, hostilityverbal (or physical) mistreatment of younger siblingsimpaired short term memory,frequent accidentsfeelings of loneliness, paranoia, and depressionIndicators of a significant problem would include any “covering up” or lying about drug and alcohol use or about activities, losing time from school because of alcohol or drug use, being hospitalized or arrested because of drinking/drug-related behavior, or truancy plus alcohol or drug use. Alcohol or drug use at school generally indicates heavy use. One should be particularly alert to the above signs and symptoms in children of alcoholics, who may have a genetic predisposition and the added pressures such a parent brings to the already laden tasks of this period.*149\331\2*
