Quiz
1. Over dinner, you ask your teen how her day was. She:
- complains in detail about her Algebra teacher.
- is reluctant to answer, and grows defensive when you press her.
- says "fine," but getting more of a response is like pulling teeth.
2. When your teen brings his report card home:
- he is upset because he keeps getting average grades, and extra work never seems to pay off.
- he is unconcerned even though his grades have dropped pretty dramatically since last year.
- he is proud of his consistently high grades.
3. When your teen tells you she is going out to meet some friends:
- you don't recognize their names.
- you wonder if she ever gets bored doing the same old things with the same old people.
- she always resists telling you her specific plans, if she even has any.
4. When you ask your teen why he suddenly gave up playing the tuba, he says:
- "Tuba isn't cool like playing guitar. Can I get one?"
- "I don't know. Who cares about the stinking tuba?"
- "I'm too busy right now. Maybe I'll get back into it some day."
5. When your teen comes home from a Friday night out on the town:
- catches you up on her evening, then goes to bed.
- she has pushed the boundaries of her curfew, as usual.
- is most definitely "wasted".
6. When it comes to money, your teen:
- spends way too much on frivolous things.
- can't account for where it all goes.
- has started asking for more and more money for no good reason.
7. When your teen comes home from a friend's house in the evening:
- he avoids eye contact with you and goes straight to his room.
- asks how your evening's been.
- seems "out of sorts."
8. My teen:
- dresses weirdly.
- wears clothing and jewelry promoting drug use.
- has quit caring what she looks like.
9. At his worst, my teen:
- lies to me and sneaks out of the house.
- is stubborn and confrontational.
- is withdrawn and refuses to communicate.
10. I think my teen:
- has a drug or alcohol problem.
- has experimented with drugs or alcohol, but doesn't center her social life around it.
- has a negative view of peers who drink and do drugs.
1. Over dinner, you ask your teen how her day was. She:
says "fine," but getting more of a response is like pulling teeth.
2. When your teen brings his report card home:
he is proud of his consistently high grades.
3. When your teen tells you she is going out to meet some friends:
she always resists telling you her specific plans, if she even has any.
4. When you ask your teen why he suddenly gave up playing the tuba, he says:
"I'm too busy right now. Maybe I'll get back into it some day."
5. When your teen comes home from a Friday night out on the town:
is most definitely "wasted".
6. When it comes to money, your teen:
has started asking for more and more money for no good reason.
7. When your teen comes home from a friend's house in the evening:
seems "out of sorts."
8. My teen:
has quit caring what she looks like.
9. At his worst, my teen:
is withdrawn and refuses to communicate.
10. I think my teen:
has a negative view of peers who drink and do drugs.
Your kid is most likely in the clear.
You should probably check in with your kid. Could be just the throes of adolescence, but who knows?
Drug or alcohol use could be a possibility. Have a serious talk with your teen and find out what is going on.
(Source: This quiz is based on information provided by Health Management Systems of America and UCSD HealthGuide. If you think your child has a problem with drugs and alcohol, you should see your health-care provider or school counselor.)