Nov 18 2008
Substance Abuse Symptoms
| Here is a basic checklist frequently used by counselors to see if alcohol and other drug abuse may be an issue in someone’s life. | |
| 1. Frequent intoxication | |
| • Does the person report or appear to be frequently high or intoxicated? • Do recreational activities center around drinking or other drug use, including getting, using, and recovering from use? |
|
| 2. Atypical social settings | |
| • Does the immediate peer group of the individual suggest that substance abuse may be encouraged? • Is the person socially isolated from others and is substance abuse occurring alone? • Is the person reluctant to attend social events where chemicals won’t be available? |
|
| 3. Intentional heavy use | |
| • Does the person use “social drugs” with prescribed medications? • Does the person use more than is safe in light of other medications they may be using, or because of compromised tolerance due to illness or disability? • Does the person have an elevated tolerance as evidenced by the use of large quantities of alcohol or other drugs without appearing intoxicated? |
|
| 4. Symptomatic drinking | |
| • Are there predictable patterns of use which are well known to others? • Is there a reliance on chemicals to cope with stress? • Has the person made lifestyle changes yet the drug use has stayed the same or increased? (eg. changed friends or moved to another area) |
|
| 5. Psychological dependence | |
| • Does the person rely on drugs as a means of coping with negative emotions? • Does the person believe that pain can’t be coped with without medication? • Does the person obviously feel guilty about some aspect of their use of alcohol or other drugs? |
|
| 6. Health problems | |
| • Are there medical conditions which decrease tolerance or increase the risk of substance abuse problems? • Are there medical situations which are aggravated by repeated alcohol or other drug use? • Did the person ever suffer an accident or disability while under the influence, even if it is denied by the person? |
|
| 7. Job problems | |
| • Is the person underemployed or unemployed? • Has the person missed work or gone to work late due to use of alcohol or other drugs? • Does the person blame the drinking on work related problems? |
|
| 8. Problems with significant others | |
| • Has a family member or friend expressed concern about the person’s use? • Have important relationships been lost or impaired due to chemical use? |
|
| 9. Problems with law or authority | |
| • Has the person been in trouble with authorities or arrested for any alcohol or drug related offenses? • Have there been instances when the person could have been arrested but wasn’t? • Does the person seem angry at “the system” and at authority figures in general? |
|
| 10. Financial problems | |
| • Is the person’s spending money easily accounted for? • Does the person frequently miss making payments when they are due? |
|
| 11. Belligerence | |
| • Does the person appear angry or defensive but doesn’t know why? • Is the person defensive or angry when confronted about chemical use? |
|
| 12. Isolation | |
| • Does increasing isolation suggest heavier substance abuse? • Is the person giving up or changing social and family activities in order to use?
|
|
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Not A Member? Register for Free!
