Denies or tries to hide drinking and/or other drug use;

Avoids talking about his/her use and behavior when intoxicated and minimizes the amount and frequency of and problems related to drug use;

Forgets or denies things that happened when s/he was intoxicated;

Chooses friends who are heavy drinkers or drug users;

Often drinks and/or takes drugs to relax or forget about problems;

Tries to justify or excuse his/her drinking and/or other drug use;

Drives a car or operates machinery while intoxicated, or is arrested for drunk driving;

Behaves differently when intoxicated (for example, a person who is normally quiet and mild-mannered becomes loud and angry when intoxicated);

Denies having a drinking problem because s/he drinks only beer or wine, or denies having a drug problem because s/he only uses marijuana, over-the-counter diet aids or some other supposedly "harmless" substance;

Has problems related to alcohol/drug use-accidents, conflicts, financial difficulties, absenteeism, frequent illness, hangovers- with work, family and friends.

Thinks a lot about alcohol/other drugs;

Avoids social functions where alcohol and/or other drugs may not be available;

Seems to have a low self-image and uses alcohol/drugs to feel better.

Makes you embarrassed, anxious or afraid when s/he is drunk or high;

If several of these warning signs apply to your friend, you have good reason to be concerned. The more signs that apply, the worse the drinking or drug problem is likely to be. Your friend may have other problems as well. But alcohol/drug abuse won't solve those problems and may even make them worse.