Which of the following is a behavioral sign of substance use disorder (SUD) in nurses?

• A. Forgetfulness
• B. Drowsiness and isolation
• C. Frequent sick days
• D. Diligent record keeping

Answer: (B)

Behavioral signs of substance use disorder show up as changes in how a nurse behaves at work, especially around alertness and social interactions. Drowsiness at work indicates impaired performance and reduced responsiveness, while isolation shows withdrawal from colleagues and support networks. Together, these reflect how substance use can affect functioning and engagement on the unit. Forgetfulness can arise from many factors and isn’t specific to SUD, frequent sick days could stem from various health issues, and diligent record keeping suggests reliability and normal functioning rather than impairment. So, the combination of being drowsy and isolating oneself best matches a behavioral sign of SUD in nurses.