Warning Signs

Warning Signs

WE ARE HERE TO HELP.  CALL TODAY – (888) 743-5747

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 other 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  • Isolative, withdrawn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-aggresive 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 Limitations

  • Appears unable to see when others have no difficulty
  • Weak or restricted grip (handshake)
  • 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

Sexual Paraphilias /
Sexual Disorders

  • Depression or anxiety that is temporarily relieved by engaging in paraphilic behavior, thus leading to an addictive cycle
  • Seriously impaired capacity for affectionate, reciprocal sexual activity. Partners of people with a paraphilic disorder may feel like an object or as if they are unimportant or unnecessary in the sexual relationship.
  • The focus of the paraphilia may be a variety of objects, situations, animals, or people (such as children or nonconsenting adults). Sexual arousal may depend on the use or presence of this focus.
  • When sexual behaviors cause distress, harm or interfere with a person's ability to function in daily activities, they are considered a paraphilic disorder.

* 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.