QUESTION:
How can you tell if you have a drug problem and/or a problem with alcohol? What is considered an acceptable amount of drugs and alcohol?

ANSWER:
Part of the nature of the development of an alcohol or drug problem is denial. A person will deny to themselves and others that their use interferes with their life and that the drug has begun to control them. As a problem develops, the craving or compulsion for the drug will grow, tolerance increases, and negative consequences occur more often (i.e., blackouts, legal trouble, mood swings, declining grades and work performance, change in values/lifestyle, etc.).

Because of the highly addictive nature and illegal status of drugs other than alcohol, there is not a safe level of usage. Low-risk use of alcohol means abstaining if you have a family history of addiction or otherwise limiting consumption to no more than a few drinks on any given day.

The Appalachian State University Counseling Center and/or the Alcohol and Drug Assistance Program are available to help students concerned about their use of alcohol or drugs.

Back to Alcohol and Drugs Page