Are You Concerned About Your Drug or Alcohol Use? Some people are able to pick up a cigarette or a beer, or do a line, have one, and put it down. For them, one or two drinks of wine per day is enough and it does not cause problems. However, for other people, one hit or pill or drink never  feels like enough. One drink becomes a six-pack or more; getting high on cannabis  becomes a daily habit. Without the drug, the person becomes sad or cranky. Such a person often uses lots of mental gymnastics (forms of denial) to say that it's not a problem. Yet if you look at the struggles in their lives, many can be linked back to drug or alcohol use. ("Substances" in this list refers to drugs and/or alcohol.) Here is a list of warning signs that might indicate a substance abuse problem. This list is not in itself a diagnosis or a definitive test of substance abuse. It's best to talk to a professional health care provider if you need or want a formal diagnosis. However, you can use the list to consider whether substances are negatively impacting your life. You might want to print the page out and indicate N for never, S for sometimes, and A for always. Have you tried to reduce the amount you use or quit altogether, but found it hard to do so? Do other people say they're worried about your drug or alcohol use? Have you taken prescription medication for the fun of it, or when you didn't need to? (This can be especially tempting with pain medication like Vicodin, Norco, Darvocet, etc.) Have you ever gotten so drunk or high that you did things you don't remember? Did you have to learn about your own behavior from other people? Have you ever passed out as a result of using/drinking? Have you ever stayed awake longer than 12 hours on a substance? Do you ever feel remorseful or guilty about using? Have you used more than one drugs at a time? 10. Have you had any medical problems as a result of using? (like alcohol poisoning, liver damage, kidney damage, etc.) Have you suffered legally as a result of using? (like DUI's, losing custody of children, arrested for possession, etc.) Have you lost any relationships as a result of using? Has using affected your ability to work or go to school successfully? Has using affected your significant relationships? (caused fights with your family, friends, or lovers) What is the longest period you have not had drugs or alcohol? How long ago was that?  How do you feel when you're not using?  Do you think about using and plan for it while you're "dry"? Have you experienced "flashbacks" as a result of using? When you think of stopping, do you feel anxious, desperate or otherwise upset? Have you had physical fights as a result of using? Have you done illegal acts to get or take your drug of choice? Have you endangered yourself or someone else because of drugs/alcohol? Have you had other negative consequences as a result of using? Do you keep using even though negative things keep happening when you use? Do you have withdrawal symptoms (like "the shakes", irritability, nausea) when you don't use? Do you keep using to avoid feeling withdrawal symptoms? Have you ever sought help for a substance abuse problem? If it seems like drugs or alcohol are making your life hard, and you want to get help, please give me a call. Together we can discuss how you can reclaim your life, feel less dependent on substances to make you feel better, and feel good when you aren't high/drunk. Call today! 661-233-6771