Alcohol and Drug Problems
How do you know if you have a problem with alcohol or drugs? If you find that you endorse any of the following, you should consider getting help to reduce or control your substance use:
1. You consume larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.
2. You have a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control your use.
3. You spend a great deal of time in activities necessary to obtain alcohol/drugs or recovering from its effects.
4. You have a strong desire or urge to use alcohol/drugs (i.e. cravings).
5. Your alcohol/drug use results in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.
6. You continue using alcohol/drugs despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of alcohol/drugs.
7. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol/drug use.
8. You recurrently us alcohol/drugs in situations in which it is physically hazardous (e.g. driving).
9. Your alcohol/drug use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by alcohol/drugs.
10. You have tolerance, as defined by either of the following: a) A need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol/drugs to achieve intoxication or desired effect b) A markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of alcohol/drugs.
11. You experience withdrawal symptoms, which differ for each substance. For alcohol, it could be sweating in the morning or hands shaking which stops once you have had a drink.