Symptoms of Substance Abuse/Chemical Dependency:
Smell of alcohol
on breath or in perspiration
Red-faced and/or
prominent capillaries over cheeks and nose
Bloodshot and/or
glassy eyes, excessive use of eye drops to conceal it, wears sunglasses
indoors
Constricted or
dilated pupils
Sweating when
otherwise comfortable
Self-medicating,
has medical problems and does not seek help, but rather treats self
Memory lapses,
can’t account for whereabouts
Slow, slurred, or
pressured speech
Avoids close
contact or interaction with others, avoids eye contact
Lying
Erratic behavior
patterns, mood swings, inappropriate affect (laughing when others are crying)
Tremors, hands
shake
Does not answer
when on call or does not return pages
Misses work
frequently or is late frequently
Defensive and/or
minimizing regarding alcohol and/or drug consumption, denial
Persistent
financial, marital, or familial problems
History of
alcohol or substance abuse in family
Excessive use of
fragrance and/or breath spray to conceal substance use
Possession of
alcohol or drugs at work (in desk, purse, locker)
Alcohol in car or
empty alcohol containers in car on a regular basis
Known to frequent
bars/clubs on a regular basis
Frequently
associates with known alcohol or substance users/abusers
Low or elevated
self-esteem
Poor impulse
control, hasty, impatient
Easily agitated,
irritable
Psychiatric Conditions:
Self-medicating,
has medical problems and does not seek help, but rather treats self
Erratic behavior
patterns, mood swings, inappropriate affect (laughing when others are crying)
Low or elevated
self-esteem
Poor impulse
control, hasty, impatient
Easily agitated,
irritable
Psychosomatic,
hypochondriasis
Paranoia
Insomnia,
hypersomnia
Anxious
Depressed, flat
affect
Manic affect
Distorted
thinking, delusional, hallucinations, disconnected thoughts
Isolative,
withdrawn
Denial, minimizes
having problems
Suicidal ideation
or previous attempt
Pattern of
extreme risk-taking behavior
Misses work
frequently or is late frequently
Reputation of
bizarre or otherwise extreme behavior
Passive-aggressive
and/or manipulative behavior
Disruptive Behavior
Abrasive
interpersonal style of interaction
Passive-aggressive
and/or manipulative behavior
Appearance of
never being happy or satisfied
Apathetic,
pessimistic, believes things will never improve
Bizarre, unusual
behavior
Often grandiose,
elevated self-esteem
Is threatening,
verbally abusive
Often overreacts
Very low
tolerance for others, while expecting others to have great tolerance for
him/her
Often acts with
disregard for rules and consequences, feels entitled to do so
Often complains
and is often complained about to authorities for rude or otherwise unacceptable
behavior
Denies wrongdoing
and refuses to make changes in behavior
Physical Limitation
Appears unable to
see when others have no difficulty
Weak or
restricted grip (hand shake)
Tremors, hands
shake, deterioration of fine motor skills
Unsteady gait
Frequent loss of
balance, diminished equilibrium
Cannot raise arms
above head, bend and touch toes, etc
Muscle, bone,
nerve or tendon damage
*Any
of these symptoms alone do not constitute impairment, but when taken in
combination can be a reliable indicator.
Patterns of behavior are what is important, not single, isolated events
or episodes, unless they are so extraordinary that they endanger the professional
or others. Also, it is not uncommon for
a professional to simultaneously have more than one impairment type.
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