How Much Is Too Much?

Just because you or a friend has used drugs, alcohol or tobacco one time doesn't mean you're addicted and need treatment.

But be careful, because for some people, there's no such thing as "casual" use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs, and you may be one of those people and not even know it. You may find yourself addicted to something after the first time you try it. Or you may "do fine" using one of the so-called gateway drugs (alcohol, pot, tobacco, etc.) and try a more hard core drug and find yourself in trouble.

And, you never know, something could happen no matter what drug you try to make your first time your last.

Read on to find out how to tell if you or a friend has a drug or alcohol problem.

How can you tell if YOU have a problem?

You may have a problem with drugs or alcohol if 

• You think that you have to drink or use drugs to have fun.
• You drink or use drugs after an argument or fight to make you feel better.
• You drink or use drugs by yourself (alone).
• It takes more alcohol or drugs to get "high" than it used to take - you have a higher "tolerance".
• You make promises to yourself or to other people that you will stop drinking or using drugs, but you don't.
• You are having trouble in school.
• You feel alone, scared, miserable, and/or depressed.
  Source: NCADI - Straight Facts About Drugs and Alcohol

If you think you may have a problem, don't worry! You're certainly not the first person to have a problem and it's not too late to get help and live a healthy life.

Find out how you can get help.

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How can you tell if a FRIEND or LOVED ONE has a problem?

Most of the time, your friends are not going to come right out and say that they have a drug or alcohol problem - they'll probably even try to hide it from you. If you're worried, though, watch for the following signs that your friend of loved one may have a problem with drugs or alcohol:

• If they get "high" on drugs or get drunk on a regular basis.
• If they lie a lot - especially about the amount of drugs or alcohol they are using.
• If they avoid you and other people so they can go get drunk or use drugs.
• If they stop doing things they used to like doing, like sports, homework, or just hanging out with friends who don't use drugs or drink.
• If they have to drink more or use more drugs than they used to to get "high" or drunk.
• If they talk all the time about using drugs or drinking.
• If they think they have to drink or use drugs to have fun.
• If they pressure you or other people to use drugs or drink.
• If they are getting into trouble with the law.
• If they are taking more risks than they used to do - like having sex or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• If they always seem to feel tired, hopeless, depressed, or even suicidal.
• If they've been suspended from school for a drug- or alcohol-related problem.
• If they've been missing or skipping school a lot.
  Source: NCADI - Straight Facts About Drugs and Alcohol

Since some of the signs above can be caused by other things, like depression or family problems, don't be too quick to accuse your friend of using drugs or alcohol.

Find out what you should do to find out for sure if your friend has a problem, and how to get help if he or she needs it.

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