FAQs

Click on the question to get the answer to ASAC's Frequently Asked Questions:

• Absenteeism or tardiness from school or work
• Accidents or frequent careless mistakes
• Unusual behavior, such as frequent visits to the bathroom, secretive phone calls, dressing inappropriately for the season, or wearing sunglasses indoors
• Personality changes, such as sudden and erratic mood or personality swings, excessive giddiness, aggressive or depressed behavior, or loss or appetite or memory
• Physical signs, such as hyperactivity, dilated pupils, tremors, slurred speech, problems with coordination, excessive weight fluctuation, chronic runny nose or encrustation around the nose
• Physical evidence of drug use such as cigarette papers, glassine envelopes, medicine droppers, bent spoons, razor blades, short straws

Researchers use the term "alcohol problems" to refer to any type of condition caused by drinking which harms the drinker directly, jeopardizes the drinker’s well-being, or places others at risk. Depending on the circumstances, alcohol problems can result from even moderate drinking, for example when driving, during pregnancy, or when taking certain medicines. Alcohol problems exist on a continuum of severity ranging from occasional binge drinking to alcohol abuse or dependence (alcoholism).

If you consume alcoholic beverages, it's important to know whether your drinking patterns are safe, risky or harmful. Take the confidential alcohol screening quiz at AlcoholScreening.org to help you find out. You can assess your own drinking, learn about alcohol and health issues, and find resources for additional help.

The first thing to do is to get educated. There are many resources available. Please refer to the Informational Resources on this site. The next thing you can do is to sit down and talk to your child. Be specific about your concerns. Explain exactly how his or her behavior or appearance has changed and why it worries you. Tell your child that alcohol and drug use is dangerous and that it is your job as a parent to steer them away from dangerous situations. Get more information from your child. Be firm but loving with your tone and try not to get involved in an argument. Try to connect with your teen and find out why he/she may be making bad choices. Be prepared that your teen will deny using drugs. Your child will probably get angry and might try to change the subject. Be prepared for your discussion with your child. Practice what you will say. The main thing is to act now. Have that conversation then closely monitor your child’s activities. Reflect with your child on why he/she is using drugs and try to understand the reasons why so that you can help solve the problem. When you get a better idea of the situation, then you can decide the next steps. These could include setting new rules and consequences that are reasonable and enforceable – such as a new curfew, no cell phone or computer privileges for a period of time, or less time hanging out with friends.

You can also talk to an ASAC Prevention Specialist or Family Counselor. See Locations for a list of ASAC offices.

The person who has someone close who drinks too much or who uses other drugs has plenty of company. People experiencing alcohol and other drug problems often feel they hurt only themselves. That isn't true. They also hurt their families, friends, coworkers, employers, and others.

The person who sets out to help someone with an alcohol or other drug problem may at first feel quite alone, possibly embarrassed, not knowing where to turn for help. We have preserved so many wrong ideas and attitudes about problem drinking and other drug abuse, too often thinking of them as moral weakness or lack of willpower.

You are in a good position to help your relative or friend, because you know a good deal about their unique qualities and their way of life. And having made the effort to gain some understanding of the signs and effects of problem drinking or other drug abuse, you should be in a better position to consider a strategy for helping.

Be active, get involved. Don't be afraid to talk about the problem honestly and openly. It is easy to be too polite, or to duck the issue by saying, "After all, it's their private affair." But it isn't polite or consolidate to let someone destroy their family and life. You may need to be persistent to break through any denial they have.

To learn more read the brochure, "If Someone Close...has a problem with alcohol or other drugs," and call the Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center (ISAIC), 1-866-242-4111, for appropriate educational materials.

You can also talk to an ASAC Prevention Specialist or Family Counselor. See Locations for a list of ASAC offices.

Family members or friends can request court ordered substance abuse treatment by going to the local clerk of court (except Polk County*) and complete a commitment paper that states why the person is a danger to him/herself or others because of their substance abuse. Examples include driving drunk, threatening suicide, becoming aggressive with family members, not eating, etc. The paper is filled out right there and filed with the Clerk. Two people are required to sign the commitment paper. If it is determined that the person will be sent to treatment, local law enforcement will pick up the individual and take him/her to a local hospital. A committal hearing will be scheduled within 48 hours. The persons who file the committal papers must attend the hearing. If the hearing determines that the person needs immediate 24-hour residential treatment, the committed client may be transported from the hospital to ASAC residential or another agency for placement.

* In Polk County, call Addiction Treatment Services at Broadlawns (515-282-6610) to set up an appointment to complete the required committal paperwork.
 

The first step to getting into any level of treatment is to have a substance abuse assessment.  It must be within the past 90 days to still be valid.  If you have had a recent assessment at a hospital or another treatment center, contact that facility and ask them to fax us that information to (319) 390-4381. You will need to sign a release of information allowing them to do this. If you have not had an assessment, and live in the local area, please call us at (319) 390-4611 to schedule an appointment. You will meet with a counselor who will discuss treatment options with you and recommend a level of treatment.

If you do not live in close proximity to Cedar Rapids, please contact a substance abuse agency/service provider in your local area to schedule an assessment. You will need to sign a release to have the provider forward the assessment information to ASAC. To obtain a list of substance abuse treatment providers please contact the Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center at 1-866-242-4111 or go to www.drugfreeinfo.org.

If residential treatment is recommended in the assessment, the Director of ASAC’s Residential Services or the Director of ASAC’s Youth Services will be notified of the referral. There is often a waiting list for these programs, so outpatient services may be offered in the meantime, for those individuals living in the local area. While on the waiting list, we recommend that you keep in contact with us periodically so we know you are still interested, and how to reach you.