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How to Identify Drug Addiction
Often, individuals who have a problem with drug addiction will not admit that they have a problem.
This assessment tool could serve as an eye-opener for the individual and force them to admit that they may have a problem with drugs.
Ask them to answer the following questions as honestly as possible, or leave the questionnaire in a place where he or she will most likely find it. Answers are yes or no.
- Have you had problems at work or school due to your drug use?
- Is your drug use making your home life unhappy?
- Do you use drugs in order to help you feel more comfortable around people?
- Have you spent money on drugs that were supposed to be spent on other things, like children’s clothes? Rent? Money owed to others?
- Have you been spending time with people that you don’t really care about because of your drug use?
- Has your drug use led you to take dangerous risks?
- Do you get cravings for drugs?
- Has your drug use led you to do things you are ashamed of?
- Have you ever used drugs in the morning?
- Have you ever been involved in a serious physical or verbal fight when using drugs?
- Do you ever use drugs to escape worries?
- Is it hard for you to imagine living without drugs?
- Have you ever thought you should cut back on your drug use?
- Has anyone ever criticized your drug use?
- Have you ever been arrested for a drug-related incident?
- Have you ever had trouble remembering what happened as a result of your drug use?
- Have you ever had a health problem because of your drug use?
- Have you ever lied about your 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 the individual answers yes to three or more of these questions, then they probably have a drug problem that will only get worse without the proper help. Encourage them to seek the professional help that they need. Provide them with literature and contact sources. Give them a list of web sites that they can visit for more information. If all else fails, schedule an intervention to confront the individual with a drug problem.
For more information about intervention methods and techniques, there are a variety of resources available on the Internet and via local, community organizations.
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Topics: Addiction |
October 8th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
[…] a person finally realizes that an addiction problem exists, and the services provided by drug rehab programs are needed, the last thing they want or need to […]