Substance Abuse: Am I Using Too Much?
Many people have issues with substance abuse. Some people drink too much and worry about it. Some people wonder if they drink too much. The same is true for what once might have been recreational drug use.
Alcohol and drug use often creep into people's lives uninvited. Often they are used as self-medication for anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. If you have a family history of substance abuse, you may be more likely to develop a problem yourself. Studies have shown that substance use, whether alcohol or drugs, often leaves the user feeling depressed and anxious. It can affect motivation, productivity, school life, job life, dating, partnerships, sexual activity, sleep patterns, and general health and well-being.
When you have a need for increasingly larger amounts of the substance to achieve a desired effect, this could be the beginning of a problem. Here is a short list of questions you might ask yourself:
- Is it hard for you to cut down on drinking or drug use?
- How often do you drink and/or use drugs?
- Have you ever stopped using? For how long?
- Have you curtailed social activities because of drinking or drugs?
- Have you experienced blackouts?
- Do you use substances when you have to drive?
- Have you missed work or school following a night of drinking or drugging?
- Do you spend a lot of time thinking about how to get your next "fix"?
- Do you get into heated arguments or fights you might not get into if you were not using the substance?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions or if you are concerned about your substance use, please call our Treatment Center, 212-560-2208, and make an appointment to meet with one of our trained therapists who will help you begin to unpack the situation.
If you are having thoughts of hurting or killing yourself or someone else, please dial 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room for assistance. This would constitute a medical emergency.