Pay Attention to School or Work-Related Issues
Notice how your teenager is doing at school, any sudden change in how she or he is doing homework — or what you're hearing from teachers or school administrators.
- Truancy or loss of interest in schoolwork
- Drop in grades
- Loss of interest in extracurricular activities, hobbies or sports
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Failure to fulfill responsibilities at school or work
There may be many reasons for this, but substance abuse is almost always accompanied by a decrease in motivation. Remember, asking doesn't hurt anyone.
- Complaints from teachers or co–workers
- Reports of intoxication at school or work
Click a label to see related signs and symptoms of teenage alcohol use and/or drug use
A CLOSER LOOK
Truancy or loss of interest in schoolwork
As kids get older, many deem it "un–cool" to go to class or do their homework. A rebellious or attention-seeking child may cut class as a way of acting out. He also may start missing class or stop doing schoolwork because he has an undiagnosed learning disability, such as dyslexia or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which makes him feel frustrated or dumb. But a child who is missing class frequently could be doing so in order to drink or do drugs during that time instead, and a loss of interest in school may be attributed to the lack of motivation that comes along with drug addiction.
