Young people and families

Notice the changebefore the crisis.

Most young people do not announce that something is wrong. It shows up quietly — in sleep, in mood, in who they spend time with. Noticing early is not spying; it is care.

A parent and teenager talking with a counsellor

Start a conversation, not an interrogation

One calm question, asked without an audience, opens more than an hour of accusations.

Notice early Talk calmly Stay private Protect studies Involve one trusted adult

Hidden signs to look for

Withdrawing from the family
More time behind a closed door, fewer shared meals.
A new, closed friend circle
Friends who are never introduced and plans that stay vague.
Money that does not add up
Small amounts missing, or unexplained spending.
Sleep turned upside down
Awake all night, unwakeable in the morning.
Sudden secrecy about the phone
Screens turned away, calls taken outside.
Mood that swings hard and fast
Irritability or flatness that does not match the situation.

None of these prove substance use on its own. Adolescence, exam stress, bullying and depression can all look the same. Several together are a good reason to talk to someone qualified.

Common signs young people may be struggling

Low energyTired even after a full night.

Slipping at studiesAttendance and marks dropping.

Risky behaviourImpulsive choices, unsafe travel.

Loss of interestSport, hobbies and friends dropped.

Disturbed sleepVery late nights, daytime sleeping.

Low mood or anxietyPersistent worry or sadness.

Money problemsBorrowing, or items going missing.

Hiding thingsVague answers about where they were.

New group, old friends droppedA sudden change in company.

Trouble concentratingCannot hold attention on simple tasks.

You are not alone

Whether you are the parent or the young person, you can talk this through privately before deciding anything.

Talk to RehabSetu AI

Assessment answers stay in your browser. Speaking to a counsellor is confidential in most settings, and a single consultation does not put anyone on a list.

Parent guidance assessment

Answer as the parent and get a clear read on how urgent this is.

Start assessment →

Safe, private chat

Describe what is happening in your own words. Nothing is shared with anyone.

Talk to RehabSetu AI →

Youth-friendly support

See what care exists nearby, with honest information about what it includes.

Find care →

Educational resources

Plain-language guides by substance, plus national programmes and services.

Read the guides →

Inhalants — a specific warning

Inhalant use was one of the few categories reported at a higher level among children and adolescents than among adults. Inhalants can cause sudden death even on a first use, and they damage the brain, heart, liver and kidneys. Read the inhalants guide.

These are national survey estimates from the years shown, not current-year figures, and they are not specific to any one district. A newer national survey has been commissioned; updated national estimates should replace older estimates when officially published.

If you think your child is in danger

Call local emergency medical services immediately

Take them to the nearest hospital emergency department

Stay with them, and tell one adult you trust

Someone who cannot be woken, is struggling to breathe, has had a fit, or is talking about ending their life needs emergency medical help now. What to do right now

The change you notice today is easier to help with than the crisis you wait for.

RehabSetu provides information for understanding, not diagnosis or treatment. In an urgent or life-threatening situation, seek immediate local emergency medical care.