12 signs of Teenage drug abuse

Last week I post the 12 reasons of teenage drug abuse now here are the 12 signs of teenage drug abuse.

1. Odor of substance in breath and clothes - persons who uses illegal drugs tends to smell bad or unusual if he or she is smoking marijuana, cocaine, or other illegal drugs.
2. Poor physical appearance - major changes in physical appearance if suddenly you find your son or daughter change in his physical appearance, forget to comb his hair, forgets to bathe and takes the fashion sense of other drug abusers.
3. Suddenly covering of his/her arms and legs - drug users who uses needles always wear clothes that can cover there body wear the needles are been use. they wear clothes like this even if its inappropriate.
4. Sunglasses is his/her best friend - Bloodshot eyes can be seen in drug abusers because of methamphetamine found in drugs.
5. Mood swings - Something might be wrong if a bubbly personality starts to become withdrawn and humorless or a normally reserved person becomes loud and boisterous. Watch out for self-destructive tendencies.
6. Unexplained loss of valuables at home - A drug abuser needs money to support his/her habit. His school allowance will not be enough.
7. Recent adverse life event - He is going through problems he/she cant handle like parents separating, losing a girlfriend/boyfriend, or sexual physical abuse.
8. School performance is getting worst - He/She is good student now getting failing marks. Discipline problems cause school authorities to call him/her in.
9. Out in school - He/She is always absent from class and gives false excuses.
10. Drug using group of friends - If his/her friends have a history of drugs or still using drugs then you should be very concerned. Look into the kinds of social gatherings he/she attends.
11. Decrease communication with other family members - He/She stops communicating with a favorite sibling, and he/she doesn't consult parents when making important decision.
12. Repeated overt intoxication - Family members and friends actually witness him/her in high or exhibiting unusual behavior.

If you think your kid is doing drugs, don't panic, talk to him/her. Be gentle and non-violent or confrontational. Discuss the problem and how you can help. Make it clear that you are there to support and not to condemn.
Related article: 12 Reasons of Teenage Drug Abuse

How to stop and quit smoking

Image via Wikipedia Its no surprise that smoking is the primary cause of lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Smokers thought for years about quitting smoking, they try it once or twice. but some smokers did not even close to the finish line of quit smoking.But if your thinking of not trying a little more to stop smoking, think again, quitting cigarettes can have a dramatic effect on our health for the people surrounds you and specially you.

If you have tried to quit before and don't have success, don't give up the key is work with the people that surrounds you like your family and friends, work with your doctor to develop a plan that will work for you. Here some simple tips that can maybe help you started becoming smoke free.

Start a date to stop - Choose a quit day sooner rather than later, so you'll be more likely to stick to it. Prepare for your quit day by telling friends and family.

Know your options - Talk with your doctor about quitting. Depending on your age and health, you may be a good candidate for nicotine gum, the nicotine patch or your doctor can give you new ways on quit smoking. Ask also for smoking cessation programs.

Know your motives - To help you understand what motives you to smoke, start a smoking list or notebook. when you feel the urge to pick up a cigarette, write down what you are doing and how you are feeling at that time. After a while, you may begin to see a pattern, which can help make it easier to change your habits.

Ignore the urge - When the urge hits, take a walk, grab a healthy snack similar in shape to a cigarette like pretzels, carrots or celery, have a glass of water. The urge will usually pass within a minute or two.

Make the butts disappear - On your quit day, take all your smoking related items like lighters, matches, ashtrays, and specially the cigarettes.throw them away were you cant get it back.

Bank the rewards - Find a place to cigarette money, Each time you think about buying cigarettes, put the money there instead. Just think of the vacation you can take with the savings from one smoke-free year.

Giving up smoking is not easy, but help is available, the question is are you ready???