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Home > Is Your Teen Using? > Signs to Watch For

Signs to Watch For

Some of the signs of alcohol abuse below may also be "normal" adolescent behavior. What is not "normal", however, is if more than a few of the following signs listed below are present. Such a combination of changes could indicate a serious problem.

Personality or Behavior Changes
  • Abrupt changes in mood or attitude
  • More irritable or argumentative
  • Sudden decline in attendance or performance at school
  • Rebelling against family rules
  • Sudden resistance to discipline at school
  • Uncharacteristic withdrawal from family or friends
  • "Nothing matters" attitude; no interest in school, sports or activities that used to be important
  • Physical, emotional, or mental problems
  • Memory lapses
  • Poor concentration
  • Needs more money-or money missing
  • Heightened secrecy about actions or possessions
  • Switching friends
  • Associating with a new group of friends whom your teen refuses to discuss
  • Finding alcohol in your child's room or belongings
Physical Changes
  • Less appetite or continually hungry
  • Loss or gain of weight
  • Less interested in appearance
  • Circles under eyes and pale skin, including face
  • Bloodshot eyes
  • Slurred or rapid speech
  • Smell of alcohol on breath, or sudden, frequent use of breath mints

Learn More:

Time To Act

Please visit http://timetoact.drugfree.org by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America for an excellent online resource to help you learn more.

Booklet: Worried that your child is using alcohol or other drugs? An Action Guide for Maine Parents (PDF)

Questions:

The Office of Substance Abuse Information & Resource Center is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at 1-800-499-0027 (TTY: 800-215-7604). Staff has listings of licensed treatment agencies in Maine, support group meetings, books, brochures, and more.

(Excerpts adapted from "Make a Difference" National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "Keeping Your Kids Drug-Free" by the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, Office of National Drug Control Policy, and the "National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse VI:Teens" February 2001 conducted by QEV Analytics and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.)

*You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF documents. These are available in printed format upon request at osa.ircosa@maine.gov