Substance Abuse Recovery Resources
Signs and Symptoms
Worried that you or a loved one may need help with substance use disorder? These signs and symptoms may help guide you or your loved one toward a path of healing.
Chemical Dependence/Substance Use Disorder
You need to use more of the drug to experience the same effects you used to attain with smaller amounts.
If you go too long without drugs, you experience symptoms such as nausea, restlessness, insomnia, depression, sweating, shaking, and anxiety.
You often do drugs or use more than you planned, even though you told yourself you wouldn’t. You may want to stop using, but you feel powerless.
You spend a lot of time using and thinking about drugs, figuring out how to get them, and recovering from the drug’s effects.
You have abandoned activities you used to enjoy such as hobbies, sports, and socializing, because of your drug use.
You continue to use despite knowing its hurting you. It’s causing major problems in your life—blackouts, infections, mood swings, depression, paranoia—but you use anyway.
Psychological Signs:
Unexplained change in personality or attitude
Sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts
Periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or giddiness
Lack of motivation; appears lethargic or “spaced out”
Appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid, with no reason
Behavioral Signs:
Drop in attendance and performance at work or school
Unexplained need for money or financial problems. May borrow or steal to get it.
Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors
Sudden change in friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies
Frequently getting into trouble (fights, accidents, illegal activities)
Physical Warning Signs:
Bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than usual
Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden weight loss or weight gain
Deterioration of physical appearance, personal grooming habits
Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing
Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination
National Organizations and Resources
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Al-Anon and Alateen
Cocaine Anonymous World Services
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Marijuana Anonymous
Nicotine Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous
American Medical Association (AMA) – Office of Alcohol & Other Substances: Monitors the treatment trends and medical data on alcohol and drug addiction, especially treatment, and maintains a large database on addiction-related research findings and practice journals.
American Psychiatric Association’s Council on Addiction Psychiatry: A collection of physicians specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of addiction illnesses and substance abuse.
American Society for Addiction Medicine: Maintains a website full of information and resources for educating physicians on addiction disease and encouraging appropriate treatment for those suffering from addiction; highlights include a doctor referral database, reviews of medical research, and topical articles on addiction medicine and care.
Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR): Collects and disseminates research and program data on addiction treatment and advocacy. CESAR also provides technical assistance/training and distributes a short news brief that can be faxed to you automatically.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA): A division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, maintains a website containing highlights of the national programs on addiction, a collection of research publications, and a searchable database with a wide variety of documents.
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA): A coordinating body of many drug addiction coalitions around the country that supports organizations with technical assistance and training, public policy, media strategies and marketing programs and conferences.