Signs and

Symptoms of
Substance Abuse
PHYSICAL SIGNS
- Bloodshot eyes, frequent

nosebleeds, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, sudden

weight loss or gain, seizures,
deterioration in physical appearance, unexplained injuries,
unusual odor, tremor or
shake, slurred speech, impaired coordination
PSYCHOLOGICAL SIGNS
- Unexplained change in atti-

tude or personality, sudden

mood changes, lack of motivation, inability to focus, appearing lethargic or paranoid, or
withdrawn with no reason
BEHAVIORAL SIGNS
- Decreased work/school attendance, change in performance/
interest, decreased motivation,
financial problems, suspicious
behaviors
DEPENDENCE SIGNS
- Tolerance, withdrawal, loss of
control, desire to quit by cant,
continued use,

Resources:
American Psychiatric Association (2014). Diagnostic and statistical manual
of mental disorders, fifth edition.
Dhawn, A. and Chopra A (2013). Does buprenorphine maintenance improve
the quality of life of opioid users? Indian Journal of Medical Re
search, 137 (1): 130-135.

SUBSTANCE
ABUSE

Drug Free Hawaii (2012). Directory of Hawaii Substance Abuse

Treatment Programs. Web. Retrieved on February 10, 2014 from
http://www.drugfreehawaii.org/files/
Treatment_Directory_Work_in_Progress,_rev_07-20121.pdf.
Fortinash, K., & Holiday Worret, P. (2012). Psychiatric mental health nursing,
(5th ed.). St Louis: Elsevier Mosby.
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (2014). Signs
and symptoms of drug abuse. NCADD. Web. Retrieved on Feb
ruary 10, 2014 from http://www.ncadd.org/index.php/learn-aboutdrugs/signs-and-symptoms.
National Institute of Drug Abuse (2014). Drugfacts. Web. Retrieved on Feb
ruary 10, 2014 from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/
term/160/DrugFacts.
National Institute of Drug Abuse (2012). Trends & statistics. Web. Retrieved
on February 10, 2014 from http://www.drugabuse.gov.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (2012). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment. Web. Retrieved on February 10, 2014 from http://
www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/podat_1.pdf.
NIH Senior Health. Treating Substance Abuse. Web. retrieved on February
10, 2014 from http://nihseniorhealth.gov/drugabuse/
treatingsubstanceabuse/01.html.
Substance Abuse and Mental Services Administration (2013). Web. Re
trieved on February 10, 2014 from http://beta.samhsa.gov/aboutus.
U.S. National Library of Medicine (2014). Drug abuse. MedlinePlus, National
Institutes of Health. Web. Retrieved on February 10, 2014 from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/drugabuse.html.
McHugh, R., Hearon, B., & Otto, M (2010). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for
substance use disorders. Psychiatr Clin North Am . 2010 Sep
tember ; 33(3): 511525. doi:10.1016. Retrieved on February 11,
2014 from PubMed.

Created by:
Myra C., Lisa C., Corey M.
Kapiolani Community Nursing Program
Spring 2014

Substance abuse is the

overindulgence in or
dependence on an
addictive substance (e.g.
alcohol, drugs).
Overconsumption of the
substance consumed may
be harmful to self or
others.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE What Can I Do About It?

BEHAVIORAL THERAPIES:

OAHU COMMUNITY

Make treatment therapies (e.g. medication treatment) more effective and help

RESOURCES

individuals stay in treatment longer.

Focus on teaching individuals how to cope with cravings and/or triggers and to

Opioid Addiction: Narcotics

Anonymous (NA), CHAMP
Clinic

Tobacco Addiction: American

Lung Association of Hawaii

Alcohol Addiction: Al-Anon, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

avoid the possibility of relapsing.

COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY:

Purpose: To help individuals recognize, avoid and cope with situations which they
are most likely to abuse substances

GROUP THERAPY:

Interact with other individuals, generally around the same age, who are encountering the same substance problems

Purpose: Help individuals to acknowledge their substance abuse problems and the
harm it causes. Group therapies also allow individuals to teach each other effective ways to solve life problems without abusing medications or drugs.

DETOXIFICATION & MEDICALLY MANAGED TREATMENT

with COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY:

OPIOID ADDICTION: Methadone, Buprenorphine, Naltrexone

TOBACCO ADDICTION: Nicotine replacement therapy, Bupropion, Vareniciline,

ALCOHOL ADDICTION: Naltrexone, Acamprosate, Disulfiram, Topiramate,

For More Information, Please Visit:

http://www.drugfreehawaii.org/files/
Treatment_Directory_Work_in_Progress,
_rev_07-20121.pdf.