Symptoms Checklist

Resource Center on Substance Abuse Prevention and Disability
1331 F Street N.W., Suite 800 N W Washington, DC 20004
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The following questions can assist with a general screening for alcohol and other drug abuse problems among people with disabilities. Although the questions may apply to anyone who abuses alcohol or other drugs, they may have particular relevance to a person with a disability. Exhibiting one of these symptoms is not necessarily indicative of alcohol and other drug abuse; however, several or more of these symptoms in combination may suggest that issues related to alcohol and other drug abuse should be explored at greater length. If a person exhibits several of the above symptoms, it might be advisable to consult with an alcohol and other drug abuse specialist.

Frequent intoxication
a. Does the person report or appear to be frequently high or intoxicated?

b. Do recreational activities center around drinking or other drug use, including getting, using, and recovering from use?

At typical social settings
a. Does the immediate peer group of the person suggest that alcohol and other drug abuse may be encouraged?

b. Is the person socially isolated from others and is alcohol and other drug abuse occurring alone?

c. Is the person reluctant to attend social events where alcohol or other drugs won't be available?

Intentional heavy use
a. Does the person use alcohol or other drugs with prescribed medications?

b. Does the person use more than is safe in light of medications or compromised tolerance?

c. Does the person have an elevated tolerance as evidenced by the use of large quantities of alcohol or other drugs without appearing intoxicated?

Symptomatic drinking
a. Are there predictable patterns of use which are well known to others?

b. Is there a reliance on alcohol or other drugs to cope with stress?

c. Has the person made lifestyle changes (e.g., changed friends or moved to another area) yet the alcohol or other drug use has stayed the same or increased?

Psychological dependence
a. Does the person repeatedly rely on alcohol or other drugs as a means of coping with negative emotions?

b. Does the person believe that he or she cannot cope with pain without medication?

c. Does the person obviously feel guilty about some aspect of his or her use?

Health problems
a. Are there medical conditions which decrease tolerance or increase the risk of alcohol and other drug abuse problems?

b. Are there recurring bladder infections, chronic infections, bed sores, seizures, or other medical situations which are aggravated by repeated alcohol or drug use.

c. Did the disability occur when the person was under the influence, even if he or she denies that it was alcohol or drug related?

Job problems
a. Is the person underemployed or unemployed?

b. Has the person missed work or gone to work late due to abuse of alcohol or other drugs?

c. Does the person blame his or her disability for work-related problems?

Problems with significant others
a. Has a family member or friend expressed concern about the person's use?

b. Have important relationships been lost or impaired due to alcohol and other drug use?

Problems with law or authority
a. Has the person been in trouble with authorities or arrested for any alcohol or other drug related offenses?

b. Have there been instances when the person could have been arrested but wasn’t?

c. Does the person seem angry at " the system" and at authority figures in general?

Financial problems
a. Is the person’s spending money easily accounted for?

b. Does the person frequently miss making payments when they are due?

Belligerence
a. Does the person appear angry or defensive but does not know why?

b. Is the person defensive or angry when confronted abut alcohol and others drug use?

Isolation
a. Does increasing isolation suggest heavier alcohol and other drug abuse?

b. Is the person giving up or changing social and family activities in order to use?

"Handicappism "
a. Does the person focus on the disability to the exclusion of other aspects of him or herself?

b. Does the person blame his or her disability for what goes wrong?

Reprinted with permission of SARDI Project, Wright State University, Dayton Ohio.

This information was developed as a part of a set of materials on alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and disability. Other documents on specific topics are available upon request. Produced by VSA Educational Services, Resource Center on Substance Abuse Prevention and Disability, Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Division of Communication Programs. 1992