Does Someone You Know Have An Alcohol or Drug Problem?

It is estimated that one out of every four people have someone in their immediate family with an alcohol or drug problem. Often the person with this problem cannot or will not face the facts about their addiction. If you are concerned that a friend, family member or co-worker might have an alcohol or drug problem, ask the person you are concerned about to honestly answer the following questions.

• Have you had problems at work or school (lateness, missed time, errors, etc.) due to drinking or drug use?
• Is your drinking or drug use making your home life unhappy?
  
• Do you drink or use drugs in order to help you feel more comfortable around people?
  
• Have you spent money on alcohol or drugs that was supposed to be spent on other things-like children's clothes? Rent? Money owed to others?
  
• Have you been spending time with people you don't really care for just because of alcohol or other drugs?
• Has your alcohol or drug use led you to take dangerous risks?
  
• Do you get cravings for alcohol or other drugs?
  
• Has your drinking or drug use led you to do things you are ashamed of?
  
• Have you ever drank or used drugs in the morning?
• Have you ever been involved in physical or serious verbal fights when drinking or on drugs?
• Do you ever drink or use drugs in order to escape from worries?
• Is it hard for you to imagine living your life without alcohol or other drugs?
• Have you ever thought that you should cut back or control your drinking or drug use?
• Has anyone ever criticized your drinking or drug use?
• Have you ever been arrested for an alcohol or drug-related incident?
• Have you ever had trouble remembering what happened after a night of drinking or drug use?
• Have you ever had a health problem as a result of your drinking or drug use?
• Have you ever lied about your drinking or drug use?
• Have you ever lost interest in things or activities that you used to find enjoyable?
• Do you feel like your life simply isn't working out?

If you answered "yes" to three or more of these questions, then you may need to seek professional help to assess your alcohol or drug problem. Treatment is available through the Alamance-Caswell Area Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Program, private therapists or your local mental health program. Support is also available through groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). For 24-Hour Crisis Services call 513-4444 in Alamance County or toll-free at 1-888-543-1444 in Caswell County and in other areas.