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Often one of the
most basic signs of a substance abuse problem is the user having a growing
uneasiness or sense that something about their use of mood-altering
chemicals is not right. There is a growing awareness that somehow their
use is different from that of their friends. Negative things happen to
them when they are under the influence. In the beginning it may be easy to
silence this dissonance in the brain but as time goes on it becomes harder
and harder.
Another indicator of problems is that more time is being devoted to using
the chemical or recovering from its effects. Some will not engage in an
activity unless the drug of choice is available they use prior to going
out. It is very probable that the group that they hang out with is using
at the same rate that they are. It is just bad luck that they experience
negative consequences. It is becoming difficult to have a realistic view
of what actually is going on.
As the use continues some may find multiple occasions where they are not
able to be accountable for their behaviors. The day-to-day demands of
their life begin to unravel. Classes are missed and extensions for work
are requested. They actually believe the excuses they fabricate. Little
white lies are employed more and more often. The charade of being in
control becomes evermore important.
Some may find people close to them encouraging them to slow-down or to cut
back. They might become annoyed that their behavior is challenged. Some
might even pull away from those that have been close to them.
Some people may attempt to try cutting back on their own. They may develop
rules to provide the structure they think is necessary to gain control. It
may work for a little bit, but then the same old stuff begins to happen.
There may even be times that individuals using substances realize that
they are not who they thought that they were. Activities that used to be
pleasurable no longer are. Once the chemical haze lifts, there may be a
growing sense of remorse or guilt about things done under the influence.
The crux of the whole issue has to do with the user owning up to what it
occurring. Can he/she really see how use of mood-altering drugs is
creating problems? Those problems would not be happening if they weren’t
using?
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