How can you tell if someone is abusing or addicted to drugs?
(Some of these symptoms must have persisted for at least one month or have
occurred repeatedly over a longer period of time.)
- A strong persistent desire or sense of compulsion to take the substance or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use
- Difficulties in controlling substance-taking behavior in terms of its onset, termination, or levels of use, substance is often taken in larger amounts or over longer periods than intended
- A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to get the substance (e.g. theft, visiting multiple doctors or driving long distances), taking the substance (e.g., chain smoking), or recovering from its effects
- Important social, occupational, or recreational activities given up or reduced because of substance abuse progressive neglect of alternative pleasures or interests because of psychoactive substance use
- Continued substance use despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent social, psychological, or physical problem that is caused or exacerbated by use of the substance persisting with substance use despite clear evidence of overtly harmful consequences, depressive mood states consequent to heavy use, or drug related impairment of cognitive functioning
- Marked tolerance: need for markedly increased amounts of the substance in order to achieve intoxication or desired effect, or markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount
- Characteristic withdrawal symptoms
- Substance often taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms
- Frequent intoxication or withdrawal symptoms when expected to fulfill major role obligations or when use is physically hazardous
|
