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Do you believe that a loved one, or perhaps even you, may have an Alcohol or Substance Abuse problem? Listed below are some of the signs to look for when identifying a problem.
Signs of drug use
Some of the following danger signals of drug use may help identify a drug problem in yourself or in someone close to you:
- Marked changes in attitude
- Spending lots of time alone in room
- Lying
- Boisterous or belligerent behavior
- Being secretive about movements and friends
- Strange or secretive phone calls
- Stealing
- Not caring for others - family members, friends, etc.
- Short-term memory loss
- Emotional outbursts, mood swings
- Changes in group of friends, loss of interest in old friends
- Sudden drop in grades
- Skipping classes, skipping school
- Skipping work or school on Mondays
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irregular sleep patterns and eating habits
- Dramatic weight loss or gain
- Constant sniffing, runny eyes and nose, difficulty fighting infection
Drug paraphernalia to look for includes: rolling papers, pipes, bong (marijuana); small spoons, razor blades, mirror, little bottles of white powder, plastic/ glass/ metal straws (stimulants, eg. cocaine and amphetamines); syringes, bent spoons, bottle caps, eye droppers, rubber tubing, cotton and needles (narcotics, eg. heroin).
Alcohol - Questions to ask yourself
Answering 'yes' to some or all of the following points may indicate alcohol dependence:
- Drinking excessive amounts (in excess of guidelines for safe drinking)
- Drinking one type or brand of alcoholic beverage (eg. Beer, wine, etc.)
- Drink-seeking behaviour (hanging out with others who drink, only going to events that include drinking, etc.)
- Increased tolerance (drinking increasing amounts to gain same effect)
- Decreased tolerance (drinking decreasing amounts brings the same effect)
- Withdrawal symptoms (getting physical symptoms after going a short time without drinking)
- Drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms (such as drinking to ‘cure' a hangover, or to stop the shakes)
- Some awareness of craving for alcohol or inability to control drinking habits (whether or not you admit it to others)
- A return to drinking after a period of abstinence (deciding to quit and not being able to follow through)