It’s natural for people to question or rationalize whether they or a loved one really has a problem, especially when they haven’t experienced serious consequences as a result of their substance use. Ideally that’s the best time to address a potential problem, before losing a job, a marriage, getting into legal troubles, or during adolescence.

Clinically speaking, alcohol or drug problems generally fall into one of two categories, abuse or dependence. Abuse involves the recurrent use of a substance despite repeated negative consequences, such as missing work or school, neglecting responsibilities and obligations, legal, social or interpersonal problems, or driving under the influence. Dependence involves the inability to cut down or control use, increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, related physical or psychological problems, or giving up important social and occupational activities.

A person doesn’t have to have all of the symptoms of abuse or dependence, and they may have symptoms of both. The important thing to recognize is that use is becoming problematic or difficult to control, and not to wait until it gets worse.

 We encourage you to spend a few minutes and review the following websites, and answer the questions they list as honestly as possible. It’s totally anonymous and confidential, and will help clarify whether you should be concerned with your own or a loved one’s drinking or drug use.

Alcohol
http://www.alcoholscreening.org/
Drugs
http://www.nida.nih.gov/Diagnosis-Treatment/DAST10.html
For Teens
http://www.ceasar-boston.org/teens/test.php
http://www.checkyourself.org/

Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal

Nausea and Vomiting: Ranges from mild nausea to constant nausea with vomiting.
Tremors: May not be visible and only felt in fingertips ranging to severe with arms being shaky.
Internmittent Sweats: May be barely perceptible with moist hands, ranging to drenching sweats
Anxiety: May be a mild anxious feeling, or become a severly panicked feeling.
Agitation: Feeling restless and unable to sit still, as well as pacing.
Tactile Disturbances: Itching, pins and needles, burning or numbness, the feeling of bugs under your skin.
Auditory Disturbances: Sounds are too harsh, may hear things that disturb you or hear things you know are not there.
Visual Disturbances: Light may appear too bright, colors may be diffrerent, you may see things that are not there.
Headache: May be mild to severe.
Disorientation and Clouding of Thoughts: Unable to think clearly, do calculations, stay clear about time and place.
 
The presence of one or two of the symptoms in mild form is not cause for concern. If symptoms continue to increase in severity, and more symptoms are developing, this may become a medical emergency. The important issue is that it is getting worse rather than better over the course of the day or so. If you have any question as to whether you are in alcohol withdrawal, you should see a doctor and have your blood pressure and pulse checked.
Remember, if left untreated, alcohol withdrawal can be fatal.