| Indicators of an Alcohol or Other Drug Problem | | | | AOD use can harm an individual in significant life areas: |
| This information about indicators of problem use of | | | | â- Has substance use hurt your work |
| alcohol or other drugs (AOD) is intended to serve as a | | | | performance, or academic performance, if in school? |
| practical guide to help a person to decide whether or | | | | â- Have any of your friends said they |
| not AOD use is causing problems. We do not think | | | | were worried or concerned about your use or your |
| labels, such as "alcoholic" or "drug addict", are very | | | | behavior while using? |
| helpful. Instead, we ask: Does use of a substance of | | | | â- Has substance use caused any tension |
| abuse cause problems in significant areas of a | | | | in relationships with important people in your life, such |
| person's life, and, if so, does the person keep on using | | | | as a spouse, boy or girl friend, or roommates? |
| it in the face of knowledge that it is causing these | | | | â- Has your behavior while using caused |
| problems? If the answer is "yes" to these two | | | | you any social embarrassment or hurt your reputation? |
| questions, then the person clearly has a harmful | | | | â- Has your AOD use caused you to do |
| relationship with the substance, and can benefit from | | | | things that go against your value system? |
| help. | | | | â- Do you use AOD even though advised |
| A common misconception is that in order for a person | | | | not to because of a medical condition (for example, |
| to have a problem with AOD, he or she must use | | | | ulcer, diabetes, or being on medication for depression)? |
| every day, and must physically crave the substance. | | | | â- Have you due to AOD use gotten into |
| Often problem users drink or use other drugs only | | | | legal trouble (e.g., DWI, disorderly conduct, drug |
| two-to-three times per week. The best question is not | | | | charges). |
| "Do I have to drink?", or, "Can I stop using marijuana | | | | â- Have you ever had an injury, or been to |
| during the week?", but, "Is my substance use causing | | | | the ER, or hospitalized due to AOD use? |
| me problems in important areas of my life?" | | | | â- Have you ever gotten into any fights |
| Here are some more danger signs. | | | | while using? |
| â- Alcohol or drug problems in parents, | | | | â- Do you often drive a car knowing you |
| grandparents, or other close family members. | | | | would flunk a sobriety test if caught? |
| â- Tolerance, need for more to achieve | | | | â- Have you ever been to see a counselor |
| intoxication or the desired effect. | | | | or therapist where part of the problem related to AOD |
| â- Blackouts, gaps in memory for what | | | | use? |
| happened while using. | | | | A "Yes" to any of these questions is cause for |
| â- Loss of control, difficulty stopping once | | | | concern and indicates the person may be developing a |
| started, or inability to control frequency ofuse. | | | | harmful relationship with alcohol or other drugs. |
| Here are some specific Questions which explore how | | | | |