Pre-Intervention Planning for Physicians and Executives

Substance use and abuse often coexist with anger, disruptive, and abusive behaviors. Disruptive behaviors stemming from anger in the forms of demeaning or verbally abusive behaviors often have a causal role in the initiation of drug and alcohol use and may also be a consequence associated with substance abuse according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s
(SAMHSA) studies on alcohol and drug abuse.

Signs of drug use (substance abuse). Common behavioral changes include:

• Red eyes, sore throat, dry cough (in the absence of allergies).
• Moodiness, hostility, or abusive behavior.
• Excessive energy and/or fatigue.
• Disrupted eating and/or sleeping patterns.
• Deteriorating spousal and family relationships.
• Declining professional performance/relationships.
• Decline of financial condition/unexplained increase in expenditures.
• Loss of interest in favorite activities.
• Isolation and social withdrawal or changes in friends.
• Extra-legal issues including DUIs, IRS difficulties, etc.
• Marked increase or decreased interest in sex.

Symptoms of an alcohol problem:

• Personality changes.
• Increasingly sarcastic, angry or quickly irritated behavior.
• Gradual change and disrupted sleep pattern.
• Blackouts.
• Drinking more and more to chase the "high,"
• Denial of a problem.
• May hide bottles or sneak drinks.
• Drink alone or early in the morning.
• Use of prescription medications to control shakes.
• Family and/or professional problems or trouble with the law related to drinking.
  

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