Signs to watch
- Sudden changes in friends, mood, sleep or appetite
- Falling grades or skipping school or college
- Missing money or valuables, and secretive phone use
- Red eyes, strange smells, pipes, foil, packets or syringes
First 24 hours: what to do
- 1Stay calm
Panic and punishment push the problem out of sight.
- 2Pick a private moment
Talk when your child is sober and you are both calm.
- 3Start with care
Say, “I’m worried about you.” Listen first.
- 4Do not threaten or shame
Set clear, fair rules you can keep.
- 5Get a professional assessment
A doctor or addiction specialist can tell experimentation from dependence.
What to avoid
- Threats you will not carry out
- Public confrontation or raking up the past
- Covering up, paying debts or making excuses
- Expecting one conversation to fix everything
Urgent help
If your child cannot be woken, is breathing very slowly, or may be in danger, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital. Tele-MANAS: 14416.
Support for you
Parents need support too. See family counselling, teenager treatment and signs and what to do, or book a consultation.
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