Posted on Mon, Oct. 15, 2007

What to look for

Signs of possible substance abuse.

• Substance is often taken in larger amounts or for a longer period than intended.

• Craving persists, and efforts to cut down are unsuccessful in the long term.

• Life becomes consumed with activities surrounding substance — getting it, taking it or recovering from its effects.

• To get high or drunk, substance abusers give up time with friends and family or stop doing things they once enjoyed. • People keep using, although they start having problems with friends and family or suffer social, psychological or physical problems caused or worsened by using.

• There is a need for more of a substance to achieve the same level of intoxication or the desired effect.

• Characteristic withdrawal symptoms appear, such as irritability, depressed moods, headaches, restlessness, craving or lack of appetite.

• To the addict, the only viable response to those symptoms becomes more use.

Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse