| Drugs and alcohol affect the lives of millions of | | | | pipes, bongs, etc. |
| Americans every year causing devastation to families, | | | | 11) Isolating. Shuts people out, is secretive, spends much |
| friends, loved ones and associates. It is said that on | | | | time alone, comes home late. |
| average each substance abusing person seriously | | | | 12) Smells of alcohol or pot. The person will often deny |
| affects 16 people around them, this may be an | | | | use despite this obvious sign. |
| understated estimate. Almost everyone has had to | | | | 13) Person is violent or manipulative. Manipulative |
| deal with someone else's drug or alcohol problem or | | | | behavior is the hallmark of the addicted person. |
| knows of someone who has. You are not alone. | | | | Violence and using go hand-in-hand. |
| You are also not without support. Al-Anon, Alateen | | | | 14) The person may borrow money or steal to support |
| (for teens), Families Anonymous, Nar-Anon Family | | | | drug/alcohol use. Person often cannot explain what |
| Support Groups, ToughLove Support Groups, | | | | they spent all their money on. Are items or cash |
| counselors, support agencies, friends, and family can all | | | | missing at home or at friends? Is liquor missing or |
| provide support. Al-Anon and the other support groups | | | | watered down in the home? Have they sold personal |
| can help you to understand the signs and behaviors | | | | items to pay for drugs? |
| which used to confound you and help you develop | | | | 15) Accidents, job loss, broken friendships, family |
| ways to cope and deal with the problem. The only | | | | arguments, and trouble with the law may occur, even |
| requirement to attend Al-Anon is your concern for | | | | when not using. |
| someone else's alcohol and/or drug use. | | | | 16) Eyes are oddly dilated, too wide, too small. Red |
| If you think you can deal with a drug or alcohol | | | | eyes. |
| problem on your own, THINK AGAIN! Even trained | | | | 17) Person is overly defensive and avoids responsibility |
| professionals rarely succeed in resolving someone's | | | | for their actions. |
| addiction while they continue to use. You will need | | | | 18) Nagging cough, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, dark |
| support and lots of it. Make use of all the support you | | | | circles under eyes, headaches, trembling. |
| can find and make it your goal to get the loved one | | | | 19) Change in friends. People who use often need to |
| into professional care. | | | | be around other people who use to provide social |
| Alcoholics and drug addicts think they are all amazingly | | | | support for their using and to maintain contacts with |
| unique, but as you get to understand the signs of | | | | those who can supply them with drugs. |
| addiction and the logic they use, they are amazingly | | | | 20) Withdrawal/Hangovers. Headache, vomiting, aches, |
| the same in many ways. Let's take a careful look at | | | | run-down, sleeping late, using in the morning. |
| some of the typical signs of drug and alcohol abuse | | | | 21) Burn or cut marks on body, tattoos, brown-stained |
| displayed by a using person. Virtually no one will have | | | | fingers, change in clothing style/hair. |
| all these symptoms, but if the person you care about is | | | | 22) Loss of interest in activities/sports/hobbies. |
| using, you will see several of them. | | | | 23) Loss of motivation, lethargic, general loss of |
| 1) They drink more than those around them and | | | | interest, apathy. |
| develop more tolerance (need to drink more to get the | | | | 24) Skipping work, meetings, school, family events, |
| same effect). | | | | appointments, meals, important events. |
| 2) They may drink more rapidly than others. | | | | 25) Secretive about where they have been, what they |
| 3) They experience "blackouts" or lapses of memory | | | | have been doing. |
| from using. | | | | 26) Attempt to cover-up signs of using. Sneaking into |
| 4) They hide their alcohol/drugs to protect their supply | | | | house, incense, mouthwash, eye-drops, perfume |
| or to use in secret. | | | | cologne, chewing gum, mints. |
| 5) They drink or drug more than they intend to. | | | | I hope this article has been informative, but remember |
| 6) They utilize lies, excuses, alibis, rationalizations, and | | | | this problem should not be tackled alone. Utilize all the |
| denial to cover up their using. | | | | support you can find, such as family and friends, to |
| 7) Changes in behavior - even when not using. | | | | help you weather the difficulties ahead. Also be sure to |
| Negative effects on family, friends, job, school, and | | | | have the help of someone who knows more about |
| associates. | | | | drugs and alcohol than you do, such as Al-Anon, |
| 8) Negative changes in attitude, health, appearance, | | | | Nar-Anon, and Drug and Alcohol Counselors. |
| mood, or work effort/quality. | | | | With a solid plan and some dedication, you can prevail |
| 9) Drinking alone or sneaking drinks. | | | | over the addiction of another and assist them in getting |
| 10) Possession of drug related materials. Rolling papers, | | | | help. My best wishes go with you always, good luck! |
| liquor bottles, drug related posters/magazines/music, | | | | |