Spotting the Early Signs of Addiction in Your Child—What Every Parent Needs to Know Before the Holidays

The holidays can be beautiful—and brutally hard. If you’re a parent feeling that gut sense that something’s not right with your child, you are not alone. I’ve walked through this myself, and I want to share what I’ve learned about spotting the early warning signs of addiction, especially now when emotions and stress are running high.

What To Watch For

• Sudden changes in mood—irritability, depression, or just off

• Secretive behavior, lying, or disappearing for long stretches

• Swapping out friends or social groups, pulling away from family

• Struggles with school, activities, or slipping grades

• Blaming others, acting defensive, or getting angry out of nowhere.

  During the holidays, everything can feel magnified. Maybe the warning signs have always been there, but family gatherings and traditions make them harder to ignore.

How To Respond

• Trust your gut. If something feels wrong, pay attention—don’t dismiss it.

• Try to talk with your child calmly. Open questions work better than accusations (“I’ve noticed you seem distant lately, is something going on?”).

• Document the changes you see without playing detective or passing judgment.

• Take a breath before reacting—panic never helps either of you.

• Reach out for professional support, a trusted friend, or a parent community.

• Remember: Noticing is caring. Every family facing addiction starts somewhere.

  You’re Not Alone This Holiday

  It’s easy to feel isolated or blame yourself for what’s happening. But every family’s journey is different, and every honest conversation is a step forward. I’m here to remind you—there’s hope, and help, even before you have all the answers.

  If you need to talk, share your story, or just listen to someone who gets it, you’re welcome in our community. Tune in, follow, and let’s make this holiday season about showing up for ourselves and our kids—one small step at a time.

  Keywords: early signs of addiction, teen addiction help, holiday family stress, parent support addiction, how to spot addiction, drug use warning signs, mental health for parents, family crisis intervention

  Listen to the Latest Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/72AbUp0cq7RfGaVPFIxX6x?si=zhCaM4FYRjCL-QcRQL2wHg