What's your SPF?
Think that you know the facts about teens and alcohol? See how you do on our SPF (student protective factor) Quiz.
It only takes a minute, and the lessons that you learn will help you to keep your teen safe!
How to boost your SPF
Learn to Boost your SPF and explore your role in underage drinking
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Signs of Teenage Alcohol Use:
Loss of interest in Family activities:
Although normal for teens to seek more “alone time” in order to form their own identity, it is important to recognize the difference between normal development behaviors and behaviors which exclude family entirely and secretive behaviors.
Anger directed towards parents:
If your teen overreacts when faced with parental involvement or avoids conversation with you, there may be more going on than the average growing pains. Mood swings are common when people abuse alcohol and drugs.
School Performance:
Has there been a sudden drop in grades, loss of interest in extracurricular activities such as sports or clubs? Has there been an increase in defiant behavior at school. Has your teen asked to stay home more often recently? Loss of respect for authority both at school and in general public.
Other Changes:
Besides the three mentioned above. There will be other noticable tell tale signs. Youth who begin experimenting often change their peer group in order to make access to substances more readily available. If your son or daughter once associated with sports minded or acadmemic youth and suddenly makes a shift towards more reclusive or fringe behavior youth, it would be in the best interest of the family to inquire as to why the sudden shift in friends. Has the youths attention to their personal hygene decreased? Is money missing? If you are a family who keeps alcoholic beverages in the house, are there times when there are some unaccounted for? There are many warning signs for adolescent substance use, click here to increase your knowledge.