Do You Have Problems with Substance Abuse?

1. Have you developed a tolerance to a substance, such as alcohol?
2. If you answer yes to one or both of the following questions, it’s likely that you have.
   • Do you notice less of an effect over time from the same amount of the substance?
   • Do you need increased amounts of the substance to achieve the desired effect?
3. Do you experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the substance?
4. Have you tried to cut down on your use of the substance?
5. Have other people encouraged you to cut down on your use of the substance?
6. Do you use the substance in situations that might cause physical harm, such as driving a car while under the influence of alcohol?
7. Have you experienced legal problems related to your use of the substance?
8. Is your use of the substance leading to failure at work or school?
9. Is your use of the substance affecting your personal relationships?

The more of these questions to which you answered yes, the more likely it is that substance abuse is a critical issue to address.