Signs and Symptoms Of Drug Abuse

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?


www.ncadd-sfv.org/symptoms/symptoms_checklist.html