Phoenix House > Get Help > Screening Tools 12-18 Years Old

For parents concerned about their teen's (12-18 years old) alcohol and/or drug use.

Directions: The following questions are designed to help you decide if your teen has a problem with alcohol or drugs. Carefully read each statement and decide if your answer is "Yes" or "No." Please answer every question. If you have difficulty with a statement, then choose the response that is mostly right.

1. Have you noticed recent changes in your son/daughter's friends?
  Yes
  No
2. Is your son/daughter careless with grooming?
  Yes
  No
3. Has your teen lost interest in activities or sports that he/she used to enjoy?
  Yes
  No
4. Have your teen's grades slipped or has he/she been missing school?
  Yes
  No
5. Is your teen secretive about possessions, friends, or conversations?
  Yes
  No
6. Do you find that your teen acts guilty or is dishonest when you ask questions about his or her whereabouts?
  Yes
  No
7. Does your teen experience dramatic personality or mood changes?
  Yes
  No
8. Does your teen seem more sluggish or run down than usual?
  Yes
  No
9. Does your teen make excuses for not being able to attend family events or outings?
  Yes
  No
10. Has your teen been taking/spending an increased amount of money with no explanation for where it's going?
  Yes
  No
11. Has your teen been in trouble — with family, at work or school, or with the police — because of drinking or drug use?
  Yes
  No
12. Have you found evidence of drug use? For example: pipes, cigars, bongs, rolling papers, eye drops to mask bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils, mouthwash or breath mints to cover up the smell of alcohol, smoke or chemicals, incense, room spray, fabric softeners or perfumes to hide smoke or chemical odors, inhaling products (such as hairspray, nail polish, whipped cream, correction fluid) or rags and paper bags which can be used as inhalant accessories.
  Yes
  No
13. Are you missing prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications such as cough syrup?
  Yes
  No

Please Note: This screening tool may be used to provide an initial assessment of possible substance abuse issues but is not intended to definitively diagnose any medical or emotional conditions. If you have concerns about your son or daughter's alcohol or drug use, it is strongly advised that you consult a doctor or substance abuse professional regardless of the results of this screening tool. Please contact Phoenix House to get advice, a referral or if you have questions about this screening tool. Call 800-HELP-111 or send a confidential email to the Phoenix House team today. Click here.

This Quiz was adapted from the survey, How Well Do You Know Your Teen? with permission from The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign.

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