An intervention can be the most powerful tool a family can use to help a loved one with a substance abuse problem. An intervention begins with one person who is willing to deal with the problem directly. This person brings family members and friends together to identify healthy ways to help.

The following criteria can help you decide if you or your loved one has a problem.

Does the person you are concerned about:

• Drink more now than in the past?
• Drink less but still has problems with alcohol?
• Neglect responsibilities with children due to substance abuse?
• Avoid social functions where alcohol is not served?
• Prefer to hang out with other heavy drinkers and avoid socializing with people who don't drink?
• Hide bottles of alcohol?
• Undergo a personality change when using alcohol or other drugs?
• Disrupt holidays or special occasions by getting high or drunk?
• Lie to employers, relatives or friends to hide his or her alcohol or drug use?
• Drive while intoxicated?
• Drink in the morning or early in the day?
• Drink alone?
• Deny drinking when it is obvious he or she has been drinking?
• Have friends or relatives ask him or her to stop or cut down on his or her use of alcohol or other drugs?
• Promise to stop using alcohol or other drugs but returned to use?
• Fail to remember what occurred during a period of alcohol and/or drug use?
• Have a family history of alcoholism?
• Have periods of remorse after drinking or drugging and apologize for his or her behavior?
• Justify his or her use by blaming a stressful life style or difficult emotional situations?
• Cause other family members to fear or avoid him or her when drinking?
• Get angry if someone suggestions there's a drinking problem?
• Break promises because of drinking or drug use?
• Have medical problems related to alcohol or other drug abuse?
• Shake in the morning or when abstaining from alcohol?
• Deny a drinking problem because he or she drinks only wine or beer?
• Have financial problems related to alcohol or other drugs?
• Have legal problems due to drugs or alcohol?
• Miss work or school because of alcohol or other drug use?
• Isolate from family and friends, preferring to drink alone or with drinking buddies?
• No longer care about personal hygiene?