Adolescent Addiction Assessment
The Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre (AARC) cares for youth and young adults aged 12-21 who meet the criteria for a substance use disorder and who may also struggle with co-existing mental health or behavioural disorders.
Adolescents are extremely unlikely to admit that they have an addiction problem. If they do admit it to themselves, they seldom ask for help. So how can parents or siblings identify addictive behaviour rather than a teenager simply ‘acting out’?
Thinking about the young person in your life that is giving you cause for concern …
Do you find their explanations for irresponsible behaviour or decreasing performance to be unbelievable or implausible?
Are they frequently dishonest?
Has their personality changed? Are there inappropriate mood swings, hostility, giddiness or irritability?)
Has anyone else expressed concern about their alcohol/drug use?
Are they less responsible with chores, schoolwork or being on time?
Have you found obvious signs of drug/alcohol use such as bottles, drugs or paraphernalia?
Have they lied about their use of alcohol or drugs?
Have their grades dropped or is there decreased interest in school activities?
Do they have unexplained periods of depression, anxiety or difficulty with sleep?
Have they become withdrawn and uncommunicative?
Do they spend a lot of time alone?
Do they show a lack of motivation or an apathetic attitude?
Have you noticed alcohol or pills missing from your home?
Are you missing money, credit cards or valuables that could be converted into cash?
Do they seem to have difficulty remembering things?
Is there a change in their personal hygiene, dress habits or sleeping and eating habits?
Do you ever notice physical indicators of drug/alcohol abuse, such as red eyes, dilated pupils, and slurred speech?
Have you observed irrational or explosive behaviour?
Are they increasingly secretive about where they go and who they meet?
Are there signs of medical or emotional problems, such as depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, ulcers or gastritis?
Has their peer group changed to include friends who are involved in drinking, using drugs and partying?
Do they become belligerent, angry or defensive when others express concern about their drug use?
Are they irresponsible drivers?
If there is evidence of substance abuse and you have answered "yes" to eight to ten of these questions, it indicates that your child is exhibiting significant emotional or behavioural problems that may be related to substance abuse.
Download the Questionnaire
Connect with our team.
We understand that addiction can impact all loved ones. We're here to listen.
There is always hope.
At AARC, clients come to us when their situation becomes out of control. Our clients are typically mixing different drugs and alcohol, and for most, every day. They are frequently involved in illegal activity and experiencing mental health issues or receiving psychiatric treatment. Many clients have left home and are struggling in school, or no longer attending. Their former relationships are often damaged beyond repair.
By the time many families contact AARC, they have often exhausted many other treatment options. They find themselves in exceptional circumstances, in need of exceptional help. At AARC, we welcome everyone who comes to us because we know how devastating adolescent addiction can be – and how powerful recovery is. Every day, we see hope restored through our community of peer counsellors, parents, alumni, and clinical staff.