Drug abuse and alcohol problems can affect every one of us regardless of age, sex, race, marital status, place of residence, income level, or lifestyle. Most people won't walk up to someone they're close to and ask for help. In fact, most will probably do everything possible to deny or hide the problem.

Many of the signs of abuse, such as sudden changes in mood, difficulty in getting along with others, poor job or school performance, irritability, and depression, might be explained by other causes. Unless you observe drug use or excessive drinking, it can be hard to determine the cause of these problems. Your first step is to contact a qualified alcohol and drug professional in your area who can give you further advice.

You or a loved one may have a problem with cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, alcohol or other drugs, if:

• You can't predict whether or not you will use the desired drug or get drunk
• You believe that in order to have fun you need to use the drug and/or drink
• You turn to drugs and/or alcohol after a confrontation or argument, or to relieve uncomfortable feelings
• You drink more or use more drugs to get the same effect that you got with smaller amounts
• You give up activities that you or your loved ones used to do such as sports, homework, or hanging out with friends who don't use do drugs or drink
• You use drugs and/or drink alone
• You remember how last night began, but not how it ended, so you're worried you may have a problem
• You have trouble at work or in school because of your drug or drinking use.
• Get into trouble with the law
• You are taking risks, including sexual risks and driving under the influence of the drugs and/or alcohol 
• You or your friend or teen has been suspended from school for or an alcohol- or drug- related incident
• You make promises to yourself or others that you'll stop using drugs or getting drunk 
• You feel alone, scared, miserable, depressed even suicidal

If you have experienced any of the above problems, help is available. While you or your friend or loved one may be hesitant to seek help, know that treatment programs offer organized and structured services with individual, group, and family therapy for people with alcohol and drug abuse problems. By reducing alcohol and/or drug abuse, treatment reduces costs to society in terms of medical care, law enforcement, and crime. More importantly, treatment can help keep you and your loved ones together.
For more information, please call: (888)784-8911.

(Source: A Quick Guide to Finding Effective Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment (CSAT/SAMHSA, NCADI Publication No. PHD877)