Signs & Symptoms of Alcohol or Drug Abuse

Behavioral Symptoms (for both adults and adolescents)
Mood Swings - virtually all mood-altering drugs produce mood swings from euphoria to depression. A user may be passive and withdrawn one minute and angry or hostile the next.
Personality Changes - a normally energetic and outgoing person becomes chronically depressed and uncommunicative.
Defensiveness - blaming or claiming to be persecuted or victimized.
Overly Emotional - inappropriately happy, depressed, hostile, or angry.
Overly self-centered - always has to have their own way and will do anything to have it.
Tendency to Manipulate - making excuses for failure or finding ways to have other people handle their problems or bear the consequences of their actions or behaviors.
Strained Communication - unwillingness or inability to discuss important issues or concerns.
Withdrawal from Family Activities - refusing to eat at family meals, participating in celebrations or holidays or making any adjustments to family life.
Change in Dress and Friends - sudden deterioration of long friendships/relationships, deterioration in personal appearance and hygiene, spends time with suspicious friends and/or co-workers.
Lack of self-discipline - inability to follow rules, complete household chores, school assignments, work-related duties, keep appointments or commitments.
Apathy - little or no interest in meaningful activities such as clubs, hobbies, sports, or other activities.
School and Work Problems- Excessive tardiness, absences, drop in grades drop in job performance, missed deadlines, failure to turn in assignments and take tests or perhaps suspension or expulsion
Anxious Behavior - Chronic jittery, jerky or uneven movements, fearfulness, compulsiveness and talkativeness.