Common Warning Signs of Substance Abuse
Attitude/Behavior Changes
- Rapidly turns from compassionate and caring to abrupt and caustic
- Withdraws from friends and activities
- Becomes mistrusting, anxious, depressed, irritable
Physical Changes
- Loss of appetite or reduced level of exercise
- Looks tired; admits to insomnia
- Deterioration of personal hygiene
- Physical problems are self-treated
- Smell of alcohol on breath while on duty
- Euphoria or somnolence without cause
- Red or glassy eyes
Performance Changes
- Misses appointments
- Makes rounds at unusual hours
- Cannot be reached when on call
- Sloppy charting
- Late to work/leaves early
- Frequent absences
- Missing medications/frequent wasting of medications
