Drugs & Alcohol in the Home

Quite frequently we have contact from persons concerned about drugs and alcohol abuse within their home environment. More often than not, it is parents and guardians who are concerned about children in their care using drugs. We always suggest that if you have concerns about drugs or alcohol abuse within the home environment, you should first speak directly with help & advice groups set up especially to combat this growing problem. We would recommend FRANK (for drugs) and Alcohol Concern (for alcohol). These organisations can help put in place (or put you in contact with) the necessary support you will need when tackling such an issue.

We are also asked "what are some of the less obvious signs of drug use". You may find the following things useful to look out for when suspecting if someone is using drugs. (NOTE: someone displaying one or more of these attributes or symptoms is not necessarily using drugs):

If you are suspicious your child may be using drugs, don't ignore the warning signs. Children seldom grasp the concepts of addiction. Most view themselves as impervious to peril. For some teens, the stress of adolescence and peer pressure is overwhelming. Drugs often become an enticing escape from their real world. Early detection of a problem is critical. Don't let curiosity turn into a destructive addiction.

Signs of drug use:

  1. Neglected appearance/hygiene
  2. Poor self image
  3. Grades dropping
  4. Violent outbursts at home
  5. Frequent use of Eye Drops
  6. Unexplained Weight Loss
  7. Drug Paraphernalia
  8. Slurred speech
  9. Curfew Violations
  10. Running away
  11. Skin abrasions or Sores
  12. Hostility towards family members
  13. Chemical breath
  14. Glassy eyes / Dilated (Bigger) or very Constricted (Smaller) Pupils
  15. Red eyes
  16. Valuables Missing
  17. Possessing unexplained valuables
  18. Stealing/borrowing money
  19. Change in friends
  20. Depression
  21. Withdrawal
  22. Apathy
  23. Reckless Behaviour
  24. No Concern about future
  25. Defiles Family Values
  26. Disrespectful to parents
  27. Lying/Deception
  28. Sneaky behaviour
  29. Disregards Consequences
  30. Loss of Interest in healthy activities
  31. Verbally abusive
  32. Manipulative/Self-Centred
  33. Lack of Motivation
  34. Truancy

If many of these signs seem applicable to your child, and their behaviour, do not wait to act.

The best way to verify your concerns is to communicate with the person(s) involved. Do this calmly and do not panic. If you can, ask them if they are taking drugs. Try not to be confrontational. This may be all that is required. Remember, for most young people taking illegal drugs is not a normal part of life. There are many free leaflets available to download from various websites that may help to educate you about the different drugs most commonly used in the UK.

However, the only way to be certain if someone is using drugs is via "sample screening". ScreenSafe UK can advise you of the best methods of detection for each drug type and how best to conduct a screening process in the home.

We can also provide you with the necessary bespoke high quality equipment in an easy to use kit form, with step-by-step instructions, which are easy to use, reliable and highly accurate. These are not to be mistaken for the cheaper and inferior test kits sold by many companies over the internet. We can also assist you in further analysing the results if required.

For more information then please contact our friendly and professional customer service team on 08450 505590 or via email (enquiries@screensafeuk.co.uk).