This is a common question we are asked here at YZUP. Having worked in the YZUP service for 6 years and working with young people for over 10 years it is still a question I take caution with answering. That's often because during adolescent development; behavioural patterns and mood swings can change, therefore behaviours that could be assumed to be as a result of substance use could actually be related to hormonal changes and/or difficulties with mental health.
Therefore, the first bit of advice we would offer is to err on the side of caution and always be prepared to check in with your young person and talk with them about your concerns. The way in which to approach these conversations is also really important.
Coming at it from a perspective of care and concern with a reminder that you love them is vital as this will make it more likely for them to share with you things that are on their mind or worrying them. If this approach is taken early on they are also more likely to return to you to have conversations in the future.
In a time where life is presenting lots of difficulties and emotional experiences for everyone it is important to be aware of changes within your young person.
As parents you will know if something has changed with your young person and often it is a case of consciously making the to time to have check in with them.
The following is a list of things you can look out for and be prepared to talk to your young person about:
Changes to friendship groups
Behaviour changes that are out of character and often unpredictable
Changes to eating habits, eating less or more
Requests for increasing amounts of money
Unexplained loss of clothing or other items of value
Sudden disrupted sleep patterns or periods of little sleep followed by longer ‘catch up sleeps’
Deterioration in physical appearance
Increased poor physical health
Reluctance to attend school or truancy from school
Some of these pointers are quite specific to substance use but, as previously mentioned, they can also cross over to be symptomatic of adolescent development or mental health difficulties. Either way, remember that by preparing to make the time to have these conversations with your young people, you will be enabling an ongoing open dialogue with them and this can only be a positive thing!
In these challenging times, the other thought that springs to mind is that you may be reading this as a family friend, aunty or uncle to other people's teenagers/young people and actually it is incredibly important for young people to have a variety of supportive adults in their life. In a world where we are all trying to practice being kind; don’t ever be afraid to show concern and interest in young people’s lives. As mentioned in previous blogs one of the best parts of my job is having the opportunity to talk to young people and learn from them and their experiences of their world.
It could be you that makes the difference just by offering the space to have a conversation with a young person.
For further information and advice you can check out this article from positive choices, this information from young minds about drugs and alcohol, this page on the we are with you website about having a conversation with a family member about substances and this one about setting boundaries and remember: if you have any concerns about a young person’s substance use or a family member's substance use you can contact YZUP on 01872 300816.