What are the signs of alcoholism?
Here is a self-test to help you review the role alcohol plays in your life. These questions incorporate many of the common symptoms of alcoholism. This self-test is intended to help you determine if you or someone you know needs to find out more about alcoholism; it is not intended to be used to establish the diagnosis of alcoholism.
Yes No 1. Do you ever drink heavily when you are disappointed, under pressure or have had a quarrel with someone?
Yes No 2. Can you handle more alcohol now than when you first started to drink?
Yes No 3. Have you ever been unable to remember part of the previous evening, even though your friends say you didn’t pass out?
Yes No 4. When drinking with other people, do you try to have a few extra drinks when others won’t know about it?
Yes No 5. Do you sometimes feel uncomfortable if alcohol is not available?
Yes No 6. Are you in more of a hurry to get your first drink of the day than you used to be?
Yes No 7. Do you sometimes feel a little guilty about your drinking?
Yes No 8. Has a family member or close friend ever expressed concern or complained about your drinking?
Yes No 9. Have you been having more memory “blackouts” recently?
Yes No 10. Do you often want to continue drinking after your friends say they’ve had enough?
Yes No 11. Do you usually have a reason for the occasions when you drink heavily?
Yes No 12. When you’re sober, do you sometimes regret things you did or said while drinking?
Yes No 13. Have you tried switching brands or drinks, or following different plans to control your drinking?
Yes No 14. Have you sometimes failed to keep promises you made to yourself about controlling or cutting down on your drinking?
Yes No 15. Have you ever had a DWI/DUI violation or any other legal problem related to your drinking?
Yes No 16. Do you try to avoid family or close friends while you are drinking?
Yes No 17. Are you having more financial, work, school and/or family problems as a result of your drinking?
Yes No 18. Has your physician ever advised you to cut down on your drinking?
Yes No 19. Do you eat very little or irregularly during the periods when you are drinking?
Yes No 20. Do you sometimes have the “shakes” in the morning and find that it helps to have a drink, tranquilizer or medication of some kind?
Yes No 21. Have you recently noticed that you can’t drink as much as you used to?
Yes No 22. Do you sometimes stay drunk for several days at a time?
Yes No 23. After periods of drinking do you sometimes see or hear things that aren’t there?
Yes No 24. Have you ever gone to anyone for help about your drinking?
Yes No 25. Do you ever feel depressed or anxious before, during, or after periods of heavy drinking?
Yes No 26. Have any of your blood relatives ever had a problem with alcohol?
Any “yes” answer indicates you may be at greater risk for alcoholism. More than one “yes” answer may indicate the presence of an alcohol-related problem or alcoholism, and the need for consultation with an alcoholism professional.
* Adapted from NCADD “What are the signs of alcoholism? The NCADD Self-Test”. http://www.ncadd.org
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