COAs are more prone to become alcoholics and addicts.
Here are some red flags that suggest you are heading in that direction:
Procrastinating and avoiding problems
Showing you are a rebel and a risk-taker
Showing that you are your own person and can decide what’s best for you
Using alcohol or drugs to relieve boredom
Feeling that you are special - alcohol and drugs might mess up other people but not you. This is a really big red flag … it shows poor cerebral control of your thought processes
Using to be part of a special group of people
Using to feel OK … unless you’re a little high you don’t feel comfortable
Using to build self-confidence
Missing school or work due to alcohol or other drugs. A real big red flag! You have a real drinking problem.
Someone has told you that you use too much alcohol or other drugs
Hanging out with a heavy drinking or drug using crowd. Changing friends to avoid criticism is another big red flag!
Alcohol and/or other drugs are affecting your reputation
You feel guilty or bummed out after using alcohol or other drugs. You know you have a problem… you’re just not admitting it.
You feel more at ease on a date when drinking or using other drugs
You have been in trouble at home for using alcohol or other drugs
You borrow money or "do without" other things to buy alcohol and other drugs
You feel a sense of power when you use alcohol or other drugs
You have lost friends since you started using alcohol or other drugs
Your friends use “less” alcohol and/or other drugs than you do
You drink or use other drugs until your supply is all gone
You wake up and wonder what happened the night before
You have been busted or hospitalized due to alcohol or drugs
You "turn off" any studies or lectures about alcohol or drug use
You think you have a problem with alcohol or drugs