Substance Use

Self Help Resources  Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms

Of Substance Abuse and/or Dependence
  • Recurrent Substance Use Resulting In Failure To Fulfill Role Obligations At Work, School, Or Home (e.g.: repeated absences at school or work, not completing homework or job duties, suspensions, expulsions, neglect of children or household work).
  • Using Substances in Physically Hazardous Situations (e.g.: while operating a machine or driving an automobile or motorcycle).
  • Legal Problems Related To Substance Use (e.g.: DUI/DWI, disorderly conduct).
  • Using Substances despite Having Persistent or Recurrent Social or Interpersonal Problems Caused or Increased By the Effects of Substances (e.g.: arguments with friends/family, physical fights).
  • Needing Increased Amounts Of The Substance To Achieve Intoxication Or A Desired Affect
  • Using More of the Substance than Intended or Using the Substance More Often
  • Unsuccessful Attempts to Cut Down or Control Substance Use
  • Experiencing Withdrawal Affects or Utilizing the Substance to Relieve or Avoid Withdrawal Affects (e.g.: headaches, vomiting, anxiety, depression, sleeping a lot or too little, transient visual, tactile, or auditory hallucinations or illusions, psychomotor agitation, seizures, increased sweating or pulse greater than 100, dry mouth, increased or decreased appetite).

If you are experiencing one or more of these signs and symptoms, please seek help by coming to CAPS 826-3236 (or call 911 if needing immediate medical assistance).

Internet Resources

About: Alcoholism & Substance Abuse

About is an informational website with differing search engines and information on alcohol and drug abuse.

Adult Children of Alcoholics

Adult Children of Alcoholics is a Twelve Step, Twelve Tradition program of women and men who grew up in alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional homes.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

Campus Blues

Information about challenges and issues faced by college students. Type item of interest in search bar if you do not see it represented in the menu items.

CASAColumbia.org

Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University aims to inform Americans of the economic and social costs of substance abuse and its impact on their lives, as well as, remove the stigma of substance abuse and replace shame and despair with hope.

Detox Local

An excellent resource for safely quitting drugs and alcohol. They have a great guide for AAPI folx.

Go Ask Alice

Interactive web-site from the Columbia University Health Services. Includes lively answers to questions commonly asked by college students in many areas, including general health, sexuality, fitness and nutrition, drugs and alcohol, relationships, and emotional well-being.

Live Another Day

Extensive information on mental health and substance use resources for People of Color. Their mission is equal access to life-saving resources. 

Marijuana Anonymous

Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share our experience, strength, and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction.

Narcotics Anonymous

NA is a nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We meet regularly to help each other stay clean. We are not interested in what or how much you used but only in what you want to do about your problem and how we can help.

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information

SAMHSA is the Nation's one-stop resource for information about substance abuse prevention and addiction treatment.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

NIAAA supports and conducts biomedical and behavioral research on the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems.

National Institute on Drug Abuse

NIDA's mission is to lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction

Quit Smoking Community: Kick the Habit Together

A website that provides helpful tips in how to quit smoking and maintain your new new lifestyle. Includes a blog, forum, resources.

Screening for Mental Health

Self-screening measure for depression, anxiety, eating, alcohol, and bipolar disorder.

SMART Recovery

National self-help organization devoted to cognitive therapy-oriented recovery from substance abuse.

StartYourRecovery.org

StartYourRecovery.org is committed to using evidencebased methods that encourage people to find the support they need. Hear Stories, Learn, Get Support (for someone you care about, including yourself)

TED talk: A Simple Way to Break a Bad Habit

Check out this TED talk by an accomplished psychiatrist about smoking cessation and mindfulness.

Books

Self-Help Apps

  • Addiction Recovery
  • Apps to help you change your Habits
    • Craving to Quit: A 21-day program based on a successful smoking cessation program developed and tested at Yale University. Available on iOS and Android.
    • Habits Pro: Helps you set tasks and goals and track your related habits. Use this app to reduce unwanted behaviors and increase new healthier ones.
    • Lift-Daily Motivation: "Unlock your potential. Change your life." Coaching toward making your goals habitual, see your progress visualized, get support from your friends, try to beat your best streak. 
    • Quit Pro: Stop Smoking Now: shows the number of cigarettes that have not been smoked, the amount of money saved daily, and allows you to post to social media to get support from friends).
    • Track and Share (Lite or Pro): Track your mood, improve your habits, get things done, manage your health, practice gratitude; very versatile and useful app. 

Self Help Resources  Signs and Symptoms