Take The Alcohol Addiction Assessment

Defining alcohol addiction is relatively straightforward, thanks to the research that has happened over the past thirty years. It’s defined as a “primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry.” It’s no longer seen as a moral failing, which makes getting addiction treatment and seeking help a lot easier. It’s also had a lot of thought put into it as to what constitutes an addiction as opposed to regular and normal drinking. Here’s a quick test.

Just tick yes or no. It might be a good idea to do this with a counselor or a loved one who can talk through the options with you.

1. Do you believe you drink more than most other people?

Yes __ No __

2. Have you ever forgotten part of the evening or day as a result of drinking?

Yes __ No __

3. Has anyone close to you expressed worry or frustration with your drinking habits?

Yes __ No __

4. Can you stick to a one- or two-drink limit?

Yes __ No __

5. Have you ever fought or been violent when or after drinking?

Yes __ No __

6. Do you ever feel guilty about your drinking habits?

Yes __ No __

7. Has alcohol or drinking ever caused a rift between you and someone close to you?

Yes __ No __

8. Has your alcohol use or drinking habits prompted anyone to seek help or advice for you?

Yes __ No __

9. Have you ever sought help for your drinking or alcohol consumption?

Yes __ No __

10. Have you ever sought help for emotional problems associated or linked to your alcohol consumption, whether from clergy, a social worker, a mental health professional, or another doctor.

Yes __ No __

11. Do you regularly (more than twice a month) drink before noon?

Yes __ No __

12. Have you been abandoned by friends or loved ones as a consequence of your drinking?

Yes __ No __

13. Have you ever abandoned your responsibilities toward work, family, or friends for two or more days consecutively as a direct result of your drinking?

Yes __ No __

14. Have you ever suffered from problems at work, such as disciplinaries or write-ups, as a result of your drinking?

Yes __ No __

15. Has drinking caused you to lose a job?

Yes __ No __

16. Have you ever attended an emergency room or a hospital due to alcohol poisoning/intoxication or through injuries sustained through drunkenness?

Yes __ No __

17. Have you ever had to go to a psychiatric ward due to your drinking?

Yes __ No __

18. Have you ever suffered from serious reactions after drinking, such as severe shaking, hallucinations (whether visual or auditory), or delirium tremens?

Yes __ No __

19. Have you ever had problems with your liver, including cirrhosis?

Yes __ No __

20. Have you been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI or OWI depending on the state) more than once?

Yes __ No __

21. Have you been detained or arrested due to your conduct or attitude while drinking, whether by law enforcement or other form of security?

Yes __ No __

22. Have you ever attended a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous or other alcohol support group?

Yes __ No __

Answering yes to six or more of these questions generally indicates you have an issue with alcohol, although it’s not definitive.

If you’ve answered yes to twelve or more of these questions, you need to seek help today. It’s usually best to seek help from a healthcare professional to discuss your options or pick up the phone and give us a call at .

Your options include everything from slowly cutting down on alcohol to attending support groups or even attending a detox center. If you wish to attend a recovery center, you can get the support you need in one place. Generally, you’ll be started on a detox program that helps you slowly wean yourself off alcohol in a supervised environment. The program can include medication to reduce the effects of withdrawal. It can also include therapy to help you identify the reasons for alcohol use and the situations that generally lead you to excess.

While most people treat alcohol as a drink to be occasionally enjoyed, there are some who do suffer from alcoholism. Whatever the reason for it, you can seek help.