Before the thought of long term drug rehab enters the picture, you need to know for sure if your child is abusing drugs. The best way to prevent and learn if your child is experimenting with drugs is by having an open relationship with your child. Falsely accusing a child of abusing drugs can tear even the strongest bonds apart. At the same time, Colorado drug rehab experts say, the signs of abuse are there and it takes parents who can open their eyes to see the signs. Here are a few things to do if you think your child is a drug abuser.

Look Through Their Things

One of the best ways to find out if your child is in need of long term drug rehab is to find evidence that they are using drugs. The best place to start is the usual places - under their bed and mattress, in their closets, under the dressers and drawers, and under loose areas of the carpet. Check in their clothes pockets, not in the ones they are wearing, but in the ones they don't wear. In the back of their cabinet, inside toys, and any other nook and cranny that might hold small packages of drugs.

Colorado drug rehab experts say that after a weekend of being 'out', it is time to check their vehicle. Look under the floor mats and under the seats particularly in the supports of the seat itself. Check the glove compartment, CDs, and CD cases for any signs of drug use. It is common for drug users to start by abusing alcohol, so check any bottles you may have in the house. Are any of them watered down with water or juice?

Look At Your Child

One of the easiest ways to tell if your child has started using drugs is to look at your child. If they have changed their habits and behaviors, it is a good indication he or she is using. Avoiding contact with you or hiding their eyes by pulling hoods or hats over their face are good indicators of drug use. Look for other habits such as the sudden use of eye drops to eliminate redness or frequent gum chewing.

Experts from Colorado drug rehab centers say that if your child has suddenly been making lots of excuses for their whereabouts or have been caught outright lying to you, you likely have a problem on your hands. Many parents often make the mistake of trusting their child for too long and let the abuse go unchecked. Long term drug rehab centers say another common mistake parents make is thinking that their child is too young to be experimenting with drugs. In truth, many drug users start as early as eight or nine years old.

These are just a few of the things Colorado drug rehab centers recommend parents do if they think their child may be starting with drugs. The first time you notice bits of green leaves, white powders, or odd-looking tools talk to experts from a long term drug rehab center for support and confront your child. Leaving it go will only make the effects of the drugs worse.