Awareness Test for Parents

AWARENESS TEST FOR PARENTS
(IS MY SON OR DAUGHTER USING ALCOHOL OR DRUGS?)

Has your son/daughter’s personality changed noticeably and are there sudden inappropriate mood changes (irritability, unprovoked hostility or giddiness)?
Does your son/daughter seem to be losing old friends and hanging out with a drinking or partying group?
Are you missing money or items that could be converted to cash?
Is your liquor supply dwindling-are you sure it’s not evaporating or turning into colored water? What about your pills?
Is your son/daughter in trouble with the law?
Are there signs of medical or emotional problems (ulcers, gastritis, liver problems, depression, overwhelming anxiety, suicide talk or gestures)?
Do you find obvious signs such as a stash of bottles, beer cans or drug paraphernalia in the bedroom, basement, or garage?
Do you detect physical signs such as alcohol on the breath, pupil change, redness of eyes, slurred speech or staggering?
Has your son/daughter’s sleeping and/or eating habits changed?
Have your son/daughter’s relationships with other family members deteriorated? Is he or she withdrawn or uncommunicative?
Has your son/daughter experimented with alcohol/and or drugs?
Is your son/daughter concerned about his or her use of alcohol, or other drugs including marijuana?

If YES is the answer to several of these questions, then there are some strong indications that your son or daughter may be in trouble with alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs. Beware, however, of your own prejudices, or your own emotions and attitudes influencing your answers.

Ask yourself: (when your son/daughter is at home)

Am I being objective and factual about my son/daughter’s behavior?
Do I know my son/daughter’s friends and their parents?
When my son/daughter goes “out”, do I know where he/she goes and what he/she does?
Do I set a good example by not using alcohol or drugs inappropriately?
Do I have honest, open, factual, unemotional discussions about alcohol and drugs with my son/daughter?
Do I really understand the problem that my son/daughter faces in today’s society?

Ask yourself: (when your son/daughter is away at school)

Have I made it clear to my son/daughter that underage alcohol consumption is against the law?
Have I set clear and realistic expectations about academic performance with my son/daughter?
Have I become informed about alcohol/drug use on campus and discussed this with my son/daughter?
Have I stressed to my son/daughter the dangers of alcohol poisoning?
Have I encouraged my son/daughter to become involved in other campus activities such as joining a club or intramural sport?

If YES is the answer to these questions, then there are strong indications that your relationship with your son or daughter is constructive.

On Campus, help is available for further questions or concerns you or your son or daughter may have. Call Parents Matter at Counseling and Psychological Services, 520-621-3334, or call Health Promotion and Preventive Services at 520-621-6483. A certified professional counselor will be available to speak with you regarding assessment of options and treatment needs.

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