Drug Abuse Checklist: Signs And Symptoms Of Drug Abuse, Part 1 of 2

Here is part 1 of 2, a basic checklist of drug abuse frequently used by counselors to see if alcohol and other drugs 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?