I Need Help
I need help. I think my loved one has a problem with substances.
There are several things that you can do to help determine if a family member has a substance abuse problem.
- Watch for changes in routines such as eating, sleeping, studying or social activities and talk to him or her about the differences you see.
- Spend more time talking with your loved one and pay careful attention to any changes in mood, the way they react to everyday situations or any physical changes (not combing hair, not bathing as frequently, wearing dirty, mismatched or unusual clothing)
- Talk to your loved one and try to help them understand you are not trying to punish him/her, but trying to help.
- Offer your support in connecting them with a qualified provider who can complete a thorough assessment to determine your loved one's needs.
I need help. I think I have an alcohol or drug problem.
It can be difficult to cope with the daily stressors of life, work, family or personal problems and, in some cases this may lead to using a substance which gives us some temporary relief for our stress. The key to successful recovery is admitting that we are unable to cope with pressure, are using a substance to get away from pressure and that we may need some assistance in learning to cope with our problems.
Some areas to consider in determining if you have a problem with alcohol or drugs would be:
- Using alcohol or another drug regularly despite the fact that it may be causing problems at home, school, or work
- Using alcohol or another drug in spite of legal or health problems
- Driving a car under the influence
- Needing more alcohol or other drugs to get the same level of comfort or intoxication
- Drinking or using more often or longer then you intended to
- Trying to stop drinking/using and not being able to
- Experiencing anxiety/headache, nervousness or other unpleasant symptoms when you do not use
