DO YOU HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM?
The following information is provided for your personal education,
and is not meant to offer a diagnostic
opinion.
ALCOHOL OR DRUGS
Answer the following yes or no questions. If you answer “yes” to
four or more questions, you may have a serious substance problem.
The word substance is used to indicate alcohol or drugs.
1. Have you decided to stop using drugs or alcohol for a week or so,
but only lasted for a couple of days?
2. Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drug
or alcohol use, and stop telling you what to do?
3. Has your substance use consistently increased?
4. Do you spend a great deal of time in activities necessary to get
the substance, use the substance, and/or recover from the effects of
the substance?
5. Have you given up or reduced important social, occupational or
recreational activities because of substance use?
6. Have you had problems connected with substance use during the
past year?
7. Has your substance use caused problems at home?
8. Have you continued using substances despite the knowledge that
the substance is interfering with your daily activities?
9. Do you tell yourself that you can stop using substances any time
you want to, even though you keep getting high when you don’t mean
to?
10. Have you missed days at work or school do to substance use?
11. Have you ever felt that your life might be better if you were
not using substances?
WHO IS A “PROBLEM” USER?
1. Anyone who goes to work under the influence of substances, or who
must use substances in order to get to and perform his/her work is a
problem user.
2. Anyone who sustains bodily injury requiring medical attention as
a consequence of an intoxicated state is a problem user.
3. Anyone who comes in conflict with the law as a consequence of
intoxication is a problem user.
4. Anyone who under the influence of substances does something
he/she contends he/she would never do without substances is a
problem user.
5. Anyone who has become dependent upon substances as a way of life,
and is uncomfortable in situations where no substances are available
is a problem user.
6. Anyone who needs to increase the amount of drugs taken in order
to get the desired effect is a problem user.
7. Anyone whose work performance or attendance is impaired by
his/her use of drugs is a problem user.
8. Anyone whose family life has been disrupted by continued use of
substances is a problem user.
9. Anyone who hides or “sneaks” substances is a problem user.
INDICATIONS OF POTENTIAL MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS
Changes in sleep and eating patterns
Rapid mood swings
Changes in, or lack of personal hygiene·
Isolation from family and friends
Discussion of suicide or consistently morbid topics
Hyper-activity and/or verbalization
Lethargy and/or staying in bed
Rapid weight loss or gain
Inability to articulate thoughts and emotions
Acting out with aggression or violence
Confusion and inability to make decisions
Constant physical complaints, and unexplained symptoms
Inability to enjoy previously pleasurable activities
Loss of sexual feelings or sexual ambiguity
Giving personal possessions away
Sudden bursts of emotion such as crying or laughing inexplicably
Slashing or self-mutilating
Inability to concentrate or stay on topic
If you are concerned that you or someone you love may have a psychiatric and/or substance abuse problem, call Robin Erickson, PH.D., LMHC, MFT, CAP (561) 312-5288