How can I tell if my daughter's taking drugs?
Other Qs & As
I suspect my 16-year-old daughter is taking drugs - I have no proof, it's 'mother's intuition' based on her present lifestyle.
Can you tell me please what physical symptoms and social factors I should be looking out for?
As she smokes I suspect at the moment she's smoking the occasional joint - marijuana (or whatever they smoke these days).
As she is psychologically disturbed (anorexia nervosa when 13 years old), I am terribly concerned. I'm sure there must be many mothers who are equally concerned to know what symptoms to look out for.
Answer
As parents we believe that we know our children well.
Mood changes are quite common among adolescents, but your 'mother's intuition' based on your daughter's present lifestyle is telling you something may be wrong.
Could she be using or abusing drugs or alcohol? Ask yourself the following questions:
It can be very difficult to spot the casual drug user, unless you are actually there to see them do it.
The following warning signs are indicators that someone may be on the way to more serious, consistent use of drugs. In the case of heavy drug abuse, the warning signs are usually more pronounced.
You say you suspect she's smoking the occasional joint at the moment. Cannabis makes most users relaxed and talkative and heightens the senses, especially when it comes to colours, taste, and music. It can leave people feeling tired and lacking energy and may bring on cravings for certain food.
Cannabis affects short-term memory, the ability to concentrate well and co-ordination, therefore increasing the risk of accidents, including car accidents. It can make users paranoid and anxious, and heavy use of cannabis over a long period of time can lead to users relying on the drug as a way of relaxing or being sociable.
Good communication with you is key to her having a better chance of avoiding substance abuse.
Don't nag as she may feel that you don't trust her or love her.
Tell her you worry because you love her, not because you don't trust her.
Share your fears and thoughts, by giving her permission to make responsible, healthy choices in her own best interests. Help her to believe it showing her that you really believe it too.
She needs to know about the very real dangers of drug use and alcohol abuse. It is also important that she hears positive reasons not to use substances, for example:
Encourage her to learn to be cool in her own way without drugs. Then she will feel much more confident.
Yours sincerely
Dr John Pillinger, GP
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