3 Signs Your College Student Might Be Using Drugs
Posted on: 22 January 2016
When your college-aged child went off to school, you probably felt a lot of pride and excitement about his or her accomplishments. However, you might be worried about your child's health and well-being as well. One thing that you might worry about is drug use, which can be tempting among college kids who are away from home and no longer under the constant supervision of their parents. Knowing the signs to look out for can help clue you in to a potential drug problem so that you can take the proper steps to help your college-aged child before it's too late.
1. A Drastic Change in Grades Since High School
Although it's true that many kids struggle with college at first, you shouldn't see too much of a drastic change in your child's grades. If your child was the valedictorian but is now struggling to pass his or her college classes, it's not a good sign.
This is especially true if your child is failing elective courses or courses in subjects that he or she has always been good at. Although it could be the sign of other things, such as poor time management, it's a good idea to look out for other signs of drug or alcohol abuse if your college-aged kid is getting bad grades all of a sudden.
2. Attendance Issues in College
In high school, your child's school probably notified you in some form or fashion if the student did not make it to class, but this is not the case for kids who are in college. Many young adults find themselves skipping class when dealing with the aftereffects of drinking or drug use or when they are looking to get high. Look out for signs that your child is not attending class, such as a lot of "zeroes" on tests or other grades or attendance issues that might appear on his or her grade report.
3. Lack of Money
It's true that a college kid's budget can be tight, but if you know that your young adult should have enough money to get by on -- such as if he or she is on a meal plan at school and is given enough money to cover basic expenses -- but if he or she is constantly asking for money, it's a big red flag that you should not ignore. Drugs are not cheap, and your average college kid is going to need more than a ramen noodle budget to pay for them.
There are a lot of signs that you can look out for if you are worried that your college-aged child is struggling with drug use, but these are some of the more basic ones. If you have reason to believe that your college-aged kid is on drugs, take the necessary steps to provide him or her with assistance. Click here for more information on treatment centers in your area.
Share