| There are many signs that there is a problem when | | | | Heroin: Strange sleep patterns, coughing, sniffling, |
| you have a friend of loved one in need of alcohol | | | | contracted pupils, no pupil response to light, twitching, |
| drug rehab, but convincing them that they have a | | | | and of course the needle marks. |
| problem isn't easy or if at all possible. They need to | | | | Marijuana: Red, glassy eyes, loud talking and |
| decide that they have a problem. Unless they can | | | | inappropriate laughing which is then followed by |
| admit to themselves that they have a problem with | | | | sleepiness, sweet burnt smell, loss of interest and |
| alcohol abuse or drug abuse, the best rehab program | | | | motivation, and changes in weight. |
| on the planet cannot help them, because they | | | | There are other behavioral signs as well like the |
| themselves do not believe they have a problem. | | | | following; |
| Recognizing that there is a problem is the first and | | | | Changes in overall attitude towards just about |
| perhaps the biggest step in alcohol and drug | | | | everything, changes in friends especially if the new |
| rehabilitation. Then the next big step is the sincere | | | | friends are known drug users, changes in activities, |
| desire to seek help. People that are "pressured" into | | | | drop of grades due to skipping school, late for school |
| treatment rarely succeed in the long term. And even | | | | or work, changes in home habits, having a hard time |
| then most of the time there is at least one relapse | | | | paying attention, lack of motivation, lack of |
| before they obtain long term sobriety. | | | | self-esteem and a "I don't care attitude", moodiness, |
| Look for the following consistent signs in your friend | | | | resentful and suddenly oversensitive, silliness or |
| or loved one to be able to identify if they might | | | | giddiness, paranoia, car accidents, dishonesty, sudden |
| have an alcohol or drug abuse problem: | | | | need for money and if not able to obtain money |
| Alcohol: Clumsiness, dilated pupils, difficulty walking, | | | | they may start stealing, possession of drug |
| slurred speech and if the person in question is a minor | | | | equipment. |
| most likely they will have a fake ID card. | | | | There are methods to help the person who is |
| Depressants: Seems like they are drunk without the | | | | activity seeking alcohol and drug rehab to get the |
| smell of alcohol, hard time concentrating, clumsiness, | | | | help they so desperately need. Commonly used are |
| poor judgment, contracted pupils, slurred speech and | | | | self-help groups like AA, which can be used alone or |
| sleepiness. | | | | as part of a professional treatment. More people are |
| Inhalants such as glue, vapors and aerosols: Impaired | | | | finding that when inpatient treatment and AA are |
| vision, watery eyes, loss of memory or thoughts, | | | | used together, it is more effective then AA alone. |
| headaches with nausea, rashes around the nose, | | | | There has been a rise in using Cognitive Behavior |
| drippy nose, appears drunk, drowsiness, change in | | | | Therapy. This involves the therapist helping the |
| appetite, poor muscle control, irritability, anxiety and a | | | | patient to learn skills to cope with their problems and |
| big tip ... a lot of spray cans in the garbage can. | | | | to change the harmful behaviors. The main benefit of |
| Hallucinogens: Bizarre irrational behavior, which includes | | | | AA meetings is the replacement of drinking and drug |
| aggression, hallucinations, paranoia, there are mood | | | | friends with a social network of fellow AA members |
| swings, self-absorption or with other objects, | | | | that can provide support and the needed motivation |
| confusion, slurred speech. | | | | to continue abstinence. |