Signs and Symptoms of Chemical Dependency
Family:
- Withdrawal from activities
- Frequent absences
- Frequent arguments; child/spousal abuse
- Family members display codependent behaviors
- Sexual problems (impotence, affair)
- Separation/divorce (initiated by spouse)
Physical:
- Multiple complaints
- Increased use of prescription medicine
- Increased hospitalizations
- Frequent visits to physicians, dentists
- Personal hygiene, dress deteriorate
- Accidents, trauma, ER visits, serious emotional crisis
Community:
- Decrease in community affairs
- Change of friends, acquaintances
- Drunk and disorderly, DUI arrests
- Involvement with place of worship change
- Sexual promiscuity
- Isolation from support systems
Work/Office
- Inappropriate behavior/moods
- Decreasing quality of performance
- Inappropriate decision making
- Borrowing money from co-workers
- Co-workers "gossip" about changes of behavior
- Frequently sick, unexplained absences
Developed by G. Douglas Talbott, MD, F.A.S.A.M., F.A.C.P.
