There is little debate that the use of drugs and alcohol is a growing problem nationally.  Its negative impact on job performance, school success, families, and personal relationships is well documented.  Perhaps most importantly, its impact on how a person feels about themselves is at the forefront of its impact. Guilt, shame, loss of self esteem, blame and depression are common symptoms of drug and alcohol abuse.  These symptoms often lead to increased use to ward off these experiences.  It is not uncommon for people to suffer legal consequences and significant personal and/or financial loss along the way.  As the use continues, it is often the case that individuals find increasingly sophisticated ways of hiding the extent of their use from those around them until it becomes so obvious they can no longer hide it.