While these problems can result from other causes as well, when you observe them in a child, it is important to consider whether or not parental substance abuse may be a factor:

• Children look disheveled, unkempt, or just inappropriate, as they are sometimes neglected by the drug or alcohol abusing parent. Monday is often "sloppy day."

• Children may be unusually sleepy because they are often kept awake at night due to fighting, arguing or violent behavior.

• Children may come to school late as they are often in charge of taking care of themselves and everyone else in the home.  This may include preparing breakfast, making sure younger siblings get off to school and cleaning up after the substance abusing parent

• Children may have unexplained bruises or burns, either because they have injured themselves due to lack of parental supervision, or they have been abused by a substance abusing parent.  Or they may talk about witnessing violent or abusive situations at home

• Academic or other performance levels may fluctuate, not just day to day or month to month, but also towards the end of the day when children begin to worry about going home.

• Children may have unusual or sophisticated knowledge of drinking practices or drug use, or may become extremely uncomfortable when issues regarding alcohol or other drugs are discussed.

• Children may seem depressed or withdrawn

• Peers may hint at problems, i.e., "Jessica is sad, things are not going well at home." Some youngsters are teased by others about substance abusing parents. Also, some parents tell their children not to associate with children who have a parent with a drinking or drug problem.

• Children may exhibit behavioral problems

• Children may miss a lot of school or other programming so they can stay home to take care of the substance abuser

• Children may complain of stomachaches, headaches or other physical ailments, with no explainable cause, often at the same time every day

• Parents may be hard to reach, miss appointments, or not show up for parent-teacher conferences

• Parents may come to meetings or appointments drunk or high.