Signs and Symptoms

With thanks to G. Douglas Talbott, M.D. and Linda R. Crosby, MSN Talbott Recovery Campus, Atlanta, GA

Family

• Withdrawal from activities
• Frequent Absences
• Frequent Arguments; child/spousal abuse
• Family members display codependent behaviors
• Children engage in abnormal, antisocial, or illegal activities
• Sexual problems (impotence, affair)
• Separation/divorce (initiated by spouse)

Physical

• Multiple complaints
• Increased use of prescription medication
• Increased hospitalizations
• Frequent visits to physicians, dentists
• Personal hygiene, dress deteriorate
• Accidents, trauma, ER visits
• Serious emotional crisis

Community

• Decrease in community affairs
• Change of friends, acquaintances
• Drunk & disorderly, DUI arrests
• Loss of confidence in attorney by community leaders
• Involvement with place of worship changes
• Sexual promiscuity
• Isolation from support systems

Office

• Disorganized appointment schedule
• Hostile behavior to staff and clients
• “Locked door” syndrome (using at work)
• Borrowing money from co-workers, staff
• Frequently sick
• Clients begin to complain to associates, staff
• Frequent unexplained absences

Professional

• Inappropriate behavior, moods
• Decreasing quality of performance
• Inappropriate pleadings, decisions
• Co-workers and staff “gossip” about changes in behavior
• Malpractice and disciplinary claims
• Missed hearings, appointments, depositions
• Loss of clients, practice, respect