Signs and Symptoms

Signs that your student may have an alcohol problem

• Failure to fulfill major work, school, or home responsibilities.
• Specific school problems such as poor attendance, low grades, and/or recent disciplinary action.
• Drinking in situations that are physically dangerous, such as driving a car.
• Having recurring alcohol-related legal problems, such as being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or for physically hurting someone while drunk.
• Continued drinking despite having ongoing relationship problems that are caused or worsened by drinking.
• Mood changes such as temper flare-ups, irritability, and defensiveness.
• Physical or mental problems such as memory lapses, poor concentration, bloodshot eyes, lack of coordination, or slurred speech.

Signs that your student may have a drug problem

• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms (e.g. nausea, restlessness, insomnia, concentration problems, sweating, tremors, and anxiety).
• After reducing or stopping chronic drug use. Taking a drug in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
• Spending a lot of time getting, using, and recovering from the effects of a drug.
• Abandoning previously-enjoyed activities, such as hobbies, sports, and socializing, in order to use drugs.
• Neglecting school, work, or family responsibilities.
• Taking risks while high, such as starting a fight or engaging in unprotected sex.
• Continuing to use despite physical problems (e.g. blackouts, flashbacks, infections, injuries) or psychological problems (e.g. mood swings, depression, anxiety, delusions, paranoia) the drug has caused.
• Legal troubles because of drug use, such as arrests for disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, or stealing to support drug habit.

What to do

• Treat the situation as serious.
• Share your concern and encourage the student to seek help.
• Recognize that denial is a powerful aspect of substance problems and that it can involve conscious or unconscious lying and distorting the truth.
• Refer the student to the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Services (860-486-9431) or Mental Health and Counseling Services (860-486-3427).