Recognizing chemical dependency

Recognizing chemical dependency
Do you have an alcohol or drug problem?

Each time you drink or use drugs, does it take more and more to get you drunk or high?
Do you find yourself using alcohol or drugs to reduce anxiety?
Do you ever lose control over alcohol or drug use?
Do you ever drink or use drugs first thing in the morning to steady your nerves?
If you answered "yes" to any of the questions above, you may have a problem with alcohol or drug addiction. For a free Assessment Interview, call an IIAR counselor at 1-800-522-3784.
Warning signs for parents and/or teachers

Alcohol and drug addictions in young people progress more quickly than the same addictions in adults. Therefore, it is imperative that the addictions be caught early and treatment started before the problem is exacerbated. Addictions can be identified through a pattern of problems in the young person's life which are the direct result of alcohol or drugs.
Some warning signs of a problem may include:
Keeping a personal supply of alcohol, drugs or chemical "tools"
More frequent use of alcohol and marijuana
Lying to parents and teachers about frequency or extent of drinking/drug use4. Lying about the source of money used to purchase alcohol/drugs
Reducing or dropping school activities6. Grades begin to drop
Increase in truancy
Dropping non-drinking or non-drug using friends
Drastic change in attitude
Change in leisure activities
The Institute offers specialized treatment and counseling programs for chemically addicted young adults in the Young Adult Unit and the Young Adult Addiction Day Treatment program. If you have reason to believe a young person you know is having problems with alcohol or drugs, please call an IIAR counselor at 1-800-522-3784.
Identifying alcohol or drug abuse in the workplace

Chemical dependency can dramatically affect an employee's ability to contribute to your company's success. In economic terms, an addiction can lead to a drop in productivity, reduced product quality, increased absenteeism, and higher health care costs. In human terms, an addiction can lead to failed marriages, broken homes, severe emotional problems, and even death. Depending on the nature of the individual's work, public safety can be jeopardized.
Because an addiction impacts every facet of a person's life, the problem must be addressed at many different levels, including the place of employment. The Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery at Proctor Hospital allows employers to offer a comprehensive program of evaluation, treatment, counseling and support for employees and their families. The following information may help you determine if an employee or co-worker is having a problem with alcohol or drugs:
Six possible symptoms of addiction in the workplace:

Change in work attendance or performance
Alteration of personal appearance
Mood swings or attitude changes
Withdrawal from responsibility or associate contacts
Unusual patterns of behavior
Defensive attitude concerning the object of addiction
How an alcoholic employee behaves

Early Phase:
Behavior
Drinks to relieve tension. Alcohol tolerance increases. Experiences blackouts (memory blanks). Lies about drinking habits.
Visible signs
Attendance Arrives late (after lunch). Leaves job early. Is often absent from work.

General behavior Overreacts to real or imagined criticism. Complains of not feeling well. Lies. Fellow workers complain about the individual.

Job performance Misses deadlines. Makes mistakes because of inattention or poor judgment. Experiences decreased efficiency.

Middle Phase:
Behavior
Engages in surreptitious drinking. Feels guilty about drinking. Experiences tremors during hangovers. Experiences a loss of interest.
Visible signs
Attendance Takes frequent days off for vague ailments or implausible reasons.
General behavior Statements become undependable. Begins to avoid associates. Borrows money from co-workers. Exaggerates work accomplishments. Is hospitalized more than average. Has repeated minor injuries on and off the job. Feels unreasonable resentment.
Job performance Experiences general deterioration and a spasmodic work pace. Has wandering attention and a lack of concentration.

Late Middle Phase:
Behavior
Avoids discussion of problems. Fails in efforts at control. Neglects food. Prefers to drink alone.
Visible signs
Attendance Takes frequent time off, sometimes for several days. Fails to return from lunch.
General behavior Is grandiose, aggressive or belligerent. Domestic problems interfere with work. Has an apparent loss of ethical values. Garnishes salary; experiences loss of money. Hospitalization increases. Refuses to discuss problems. Has trouble with the law.
Job performance Is far below expected level.

Late Phase:
Behavior
Believes that other activities interfere with drinking.
Visible signs
Attendance Prolonged unpredictable absences.
General behavior Drinking on the job. Totally undependable. Repeated hospitalization. Visible physical deterioration. Worsening financial problems. Serious family problems and/or divorce.
Job performance Uneven and generally incompetent.
Source: CompCare Publishers
If you have reason to suspect an employee is having a problem with alcohol or any drug, gambling or other compulsive behaviors, call an IIAR counselor at 1-800-522-3784. For more information on addiction in the workplace, click on the topics below:

Identifying problem gambling in the workplace
Identifying addiction in the workplace

To comment on this site or inquire about IIAR programs and services, or to receive additional information on any of the subjects discussed in this Web site, please e-mail our Vice President of Addiction and Behavioral Sciences, Rick Zehr (eric.zehr@proctor.org) or call 1-800-522-3784.

This information is provided as a community education service about professional issues and is not a substitute for individual consultation. Advice on individual problems should be obtained through a professional. All personal and medical information provided to IIAR and its staff is held in strict confidence. This information will not be disclosed to any person or organization without the written consent of the patient or guardian.

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The Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery has centers at the following three locations:
Proctor Hospital, 5409 N. Knoxville Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614, phone: 1-800-522-3784
BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Virginia at Franklin, Normal, IL 61761, phone: 309-888-0993
IIAR at Springfield, 3050 Montvale Drive, Springfield, IL 62704, phone: 217-726-6611

E-mail comments or requests for additional information to Rick Zehr (eric.zehr@proctor.org)
You may also contact: Randee McGraw, Administrative Director
Pam Hillyard, Manager
Coleen Moore, Coordinator of Resource Development
Patricia Erickson, Nursing Coordinator

©2005 Proctor Hospital