Exercise: Look at Your Life

There are a number of areas of your life that could be (or have been) affected by your alcohol and other drug use. It is often helpful to look closely at these areas to determine what the consequences have been. This helps you to focus on what areas you really want to change, and builds your motivation to do it.

• Have you ever done anything illegal while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs? (theft, dealing, prostitution, pimping, B&E, assault, impaired driving?)
• Have you ever been charged with alcohol or other drug-related charges?
• What effect did criminal charges have on your life? (custody, restitution, fines?)

• Have you spent money on alcohol, other drugs or gambling that you wish you had used for other things?
• Have you had to take care of court fees and fines?
• Have you ever lost a job and pay because of drinking, using other drugs or gambling?
• Have you been the one who supplies your friends with drugs?
• Have you taken money or pawned items from home to buy drugs or gamble?
• Have you been in accidents that have caused your insurance rates to go up?

• Do the people in your family trust you? Has this changed because of drinking, using other drugs or gambling?
• Are there arguments in your family because of your substance use or gambling?
• Have you failed to keep promises and meet expectations because of your substance use or gambling?
• Does your family avoid you when you drink or use other drugs? Do you avoid them? Have there been incidents of violence in your family because of your substance use or gambling?

• Do most of your leisure activities involve alcohol, other drugs or gambling? 
• Have your friends suggested that you cut down?
• Have your friends been embarrassed by your behaviour?
• Have you argued with your friends about your substance use or gambling?
• Have you failed to keep promises?
• Do you trust your friends? Do they trust you?
• How often do you do things that don’t involve alcohol, other drugs or gambling?
• Are you no longer interested in activities that you used to like?
• Have you lost friends because of your substance use or gambling?

• Have you been suspended or expelled because of substance use or gambling?
• Have you lost a job because of substance use or gambling?
• Have your grades changed because of substance use or gambling?
• Do you miss school or work often?
• Have you gone to school or work drunk or high?
• Have your teachers or bosses talked to you about whether you are drinking, using other drugs or gambling?

• Have you ever had blackouts, hallucinations, shakes, seizures or vomiting?
• Have you ever had an overdose?
• Have you been injured when drinking or using other drugs? (accidents, fights?)
• Has a doctor warned you to stop drinking or using other drugs?
• Have you had an illness that kept you home due to using?
• Have you ever had "flashbacks"? Have you ever injected drugs?

• Do you try to "make it through the day"?
• Have you felt guilty or embarrassed about drinking, using other drugs or gambling?
• Are you depressed about your life?
• Are you moody?
• Do you hide how much you're using or gambling from family or friends?
• Do you feel that nothing has turned out right for you?
• Do you drink or use other drugs just to feel normal?
• Have you tried to hurt yourself? (slashing, burning, skin carving, etc.)
• Do you feel less supported and less connected to others?
• Do you feel as if there is no purpose to your life?

If you are concerned about how alcohol, other drugs or gambling are affecting your life, contact your local AADAC office or call the AADAC Help Line at 1-866-33AADAC. We’re here to help.