Identifying Chemical/ Substance Dependence
Disorder
Warning Signs of Drug or Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse or misuse varies
significantly from substance abuse dependence disorder. When our drinking or
drug use hurts those that we love and care about, then we probably have a
problem. Abuse is not defined by the intention to get drunk or high by use of
illegal drugs. Rather drug and alcohol abuse presents in the following
behaviors:
- A significant drop in academic
performance, such as poor grades, or problems at work
- Arrest(s) for DWI or
DUI, thus presenting legal issues
- Lack of intimacy with
spouses, partners, family and friends
- Extreme impulsive behavior such as
overspending, over indulging, overeating, etc.….
- Symptoms of physical
illness become more frequent, along with psychological dysfunction
- Experiences memory
loss more frequently as well as frequent episodic “blackouts”
- Lack of interest in
once favorable activities occurs more often as well as isolation and withdrawal
Signs/ Symptoms of Addiction
People who have a substance
dependence disorder/ addiction have a markedly increased tolerance for the
substance. (alcohol or drug) Those who had substance abuse problems are now “dependent”
on their drug of choice. They have lost impulse control over their choice to
use or drink. If active use abruptly discontinues, physical pain and discomfort
will occur. In other words, alcoholics/ addicts will experience withdrawal
symptoms. Some withdrawal symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, memory loss, and
the ‘shakes’, also known as delirium tremors. For many individuals who
experience several stressors, such as death of a loved one, loss of home, loss
of finances, continued use of alcohol or drugs contribute significantly to
one’s psychological dependence. It is their attempt to alleviate their intense
pain and not focus on their problem with addiction. They become very good at
manipulation, using deceit to control, self-centeredness and blame others for
their shortcomings. Many times, a person’s struggle with drug and alcohol abuse
remains hidden from those closest to them.
Signs
of Chemical/ Substance Dependence Disorder include:
• Increased tolerance, with the need to consume more in order to feel high
• Must have alcohol or drug of choice throughout the day
• Social life is surrounded by others who also use or drink; eat at restaurants that serve
alcoholic beverages
• Reject support from those who care
• Avoidance of activities that were once of interest, missing work/ school or other obligations
• When not using drugs or consuming alcohol, withdrawal symptoms appear
• Failure to disclose active use to family or friends
• Binge drinking; consumes large amounts of alcohol, increase in active drug use for several days
• Inability to quit on your own
• Increased tolerance,
with the need to consume more in order to feel high
• Must have alcohol or
drug of choice throughout the day
• Social life is
surrounded by others who also use or drink; eat at restaurants that
serve alcoholic beverages
• Reject support from
those who care
• Avoidance of
activities that were once of interest, missing work/ school or other
obligations
• When not using drugs
or consuming alcohol, withdrawal symptoms appear
• Failure to disclose
active use to family or friends
• Binge drinking;
consumes large amounts of alcohol, increase in active drug use for several days
• Inability to quit on
your own
---------------------------------------------------------------
Kathleen Gleason, LPC-S, NCC, is a recognized Certified Diplomat Clinical Forensic Counselor (DCFC)
Her training and 20+ years experience include working with children, adolescents and adults, in the following specialties:
* Expert Witness - Court Testimony
* Addiction * Alcohol/ Substance Abuse * Eating Disorders * Co-dependency
* Rape * Sexual Assault * Sexual Abuse/ Molestation
* Domestic/ Family Violence * Battering
* Dating Violence * Identification of Dangerous & Unhealthy Relationships
* Child Abuse - neglect, physical, emotional, sexual abuse
* Elder Abuse - neglect, physical, emotional, sexual abuse
• Increased tolerance, with the need to consume more in order to feel high
• Must have alcohol or drug of choice throughout the day
• Social life is surrounded by others who also use or drink; eat at restaurants that serve
alcoholic beverages
• Reject support from those who care
• Avoidance of activities that were once of interest, missing work/ school or other obligations
• When not using drugs or consuming alcohol, withdrawal symptoms appear
• Failure to disclose active use to family or friends
• Binge drinking; consumes large amounts of alcohol, increase in active drug use for several days
• Inability to quit on your own
