Introduction

CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE?

If you are you a parent or friend that is worried that someone you care about has been abusing drugs or has become drug dependent, this period of time can be very confusing and scary. You may have perhaps tried to talk to the person, only to have been brushed aside. Or perhaps you have sought previous help but fear that your spouse, child or friend has relapsed and is using drugs again.

Before you can approach the problem and play a useful role in helping that person, you need to understand the problem of drug addiction and what options are available to treat drug addiction and how this may be helpful to that person. We hope that the information you find on this site will be useful in guiding you.

Any one of the following conditions indicates a serious substance abuse problem:

Because of drug use, he or she . . .

• has failed at work, school, or home
• has legal problems
• has problems with personal and family relationships.

AND/OR he or she

• gets high when driving or operating machinery
• experiences withdrawal symptoms when they stop using (like cravings, depression, anxiety, stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea)
• uses more than intended (one "hit" becomes ten)
• switches from liquor to beer, or from one drug to another, in an effort to cut down
• is always either talking about getting high, obtaining the drugs, getting high, or recovering from a binge
• isn't interested in doing things that don't involve drugs, even things they used to enjoy.
• keeps getting high even though they know it will make them sick or depressed afterwards.
• uses more than usual, or increases usage over months or years.

It is important to realize that effective treatment is available and that if you are worried about someone's drug abuse or suspect that she or he may be taking drugs, you should seek help today.