
Symptoms of Substance Abuse/Chemical Dependency
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- Smell of alcohol on breath or in perspiration
- Red-faced and/or prominent capillaries over cheeks and nose
- Bloodshot and/or glassy eyes, excessive use of eye drops to conceal it, wears sunglasses indoors
- Constricted or dilated pupils
- Sweating when otherwise comfortable
- Self-medicating, has medical problems and does not seek help, but rather treats self
- Memory lapses, can’t account for whereabouts
- Slow, slurred, or pressured speech
- Avoids close contact or interaction with others, avoids eye contact
- Lying
- Erratic behavior patterns, mood swings, inappropriate affect (laughing when others are crying)
- Tremors, hands shake
- Does not answer when on call or does not return pages
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- Misses work frequently or is late frequently
- Defensive and/or minimizing regarding alcohol and/or drug consumption, denial
- Persistent financial, marital, or familial problems
- History of alcohol or substance abuse in family
- Excessive use of fragrance and/or breath spray to conceal substance use
- Possession of alcohol or drugs at work (in desk, purse, locker)
- Alcohol in car or empty alcohol containers in car on a regular basis
- Known to frequent bars/clubs on a regular basis
- Frequently associates with known alcohol or substance users/abusers
- Low or elevated self-esteem
- Poor impulse control, hasty, impatient
- Easily agitated, irritable
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