My Friends and Family Think I Have a Problem. How Do I Know?

Substance use falls on a spectrum and is progressive. Often, how you see yourself on this spectrum and where your friends and family see you are not the same. This is where I can help. Having a comprehensive assessment can help you know what your next steps should be.

Do you identify with any of the scenarios below?

1. Experimental use: a new experience

• Use a substance once or twice to experience the effects.
• Experience the effects intensely due to low tolerance.
• Typically don’t have negative consequences as a part of use.

2. Social use: adds to life, becomes misuse

• Use substances on occasion and can readily control use.
• Major life areas are not affected.
• No emotional pain resulting from use.
• Tolerance begins to increase and a pattern of use develops, such as every weekend or every day.
• The purpose of getting together with friends starts to revolve around using substances.
• May experience some negative consequences such as hangovers, blackouts and/or missed appointments.

3. Harmfully involved: becomes life, compulsive use

• Use substances regularly and frequently.
• Use more of the substance over a longer period of time.
• Make attempts to control use of the substance but have difficulty doing so.
• Major life areas are affected as substance use continues in spite of negative consequences.
• May experience withdrawal when attempting to cut back, and tolerance continues to increase.
• Have collected paraphernalia such as pipes or needles, have a stash hidden somewhere close by, or have a well-stocked wine rack or refrigerator.
• Have established rituals for obtaining the substance, and most time and energy is spent obtaining and using it.

4. Dependent: takes over life

• Use the substance regularly and feel a loss of control.
• Most major life areas, such as relationships, work and friendships, are negatively affected.
• Patterns and consequences are unknown and unpredictable.
• Experience extreme emotional pain, feelings of helplessness, and withdrawal when the substance is not used.
• Have pulled away from family and friends who object to the use.
• Have an extremely hard time “maintaining a normal life.”
• Emotional and mental state has diminished to the point of thoughts of suicide.
• Feel like a failure due to not being able to quit voluntarily.
• May not have the strength to ask for help when it is needed most.

If you recognize yourself in stage 3 or 4, please reach out. A drug and alcohol assessment is a good first step, and you don’t have to figure this out alone.