Author: Charles Frank

Do I Have a Drinking Problem? Use a Self-Test to Check

People with substance use disorders do so for emotional reasons. People who misuse alcohol, in the same vein, drink to find relief from anxiety, depression, stress, or sadness. If you think a partner, friend, or family member may be living with alcohol use disorder, you can take this quiz on behalf of them as well. This free, medically-reviewed alcohol use test is meant for anyone who thinks they may benefit from an evaluation for alcohol use disorder.

1. Jellinek has contributed to how medical professionals understand alcoholism to this day.
2. They will cry out for a drink, though booze has sent them to their deathbed.
3. Concerned individuals can print out the test or share a link with someone they suspect of having a drinking problem or another friend who is struggling with a loved one in their life.
4. Even just a few drinks more may mean that you are having trouble controlling your drinking.
5. Taking an assessment is often the first step on the road to recovery.

When a person who misuses alcohol hasn’t had a drink, their body craves alcohol. They begin to show withdrawal symptoms such as being irritable and tired, feeling nauseous, depressed, and anxious. A person who misuses alcohol exhibits strained relationships with friends, significant others, and other members of their family. When the most important people in a person’s life have been relegated to the sidelines in favor of alcohol, it is a clear sign of alcoholism. The following self-assessment is meant for educational purposes only.

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But, you keep using alcohol even though you’ve been told that it’s a problem. Many people tell themselves that they will stop drinking once they experience a negative outcome because of their drinking. But for some, these “wake-up calls” are not enough to overcome an addiction to alcohol.

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An assessment test is a simple battery of questions about alcoholism that will help you determine if you have a drinking problem, or worse. These tests can be found on a number of websites as well as in many healthcare facilities. Often, they are comprised of simple yes/no items and you can complete the whole thing in a few minutes. Though they are not to be mistaken for a full diagnosis of any mental health disorder, if your responses indicate a drinking problem, then you should probably consider investigating the matter further. Taking an assessment is often the first step on the road to recovery. If you have decided that you do have a drinking problem and you want to do something about it, there is a world of help available.

Sometimes, alcoholics consume too much alcohol that they black out. This means that they have no memory of the things that happened while they were drunk. If you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. The condition can vary in intensity — mild, moderate, or severe — and depend on the number of symptoms met. If you’re concerned that you or a loved one meet several of these criteria, it’s a good idea to talk to a hotline representative about your situation. An American Addiction Centers admissions navigator can help you evaluate your next steps.

Has alcohol created conflicts or negatively affected your relationships with friends, family, or coworkers?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for alcohol use disorder (AUD). A certain addiction treatment program may work for someone but may not necessarily work for another person. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can appear as soon as eight hours after a person’s last drink. A person severely dependent on alcohol will usually experience severe withdrawal symptoms. As a person drinks more, the body learns to compensate by adjusting. As dependence develops, it becomes difficult for the person to stop drinking.

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An alcoholic is known as someone who drinks alcohol beyond his or her ability to control it and is unable to stop consuming alcohol voluntarily. Most often this is coupled with being habitually intoxicated, daily drinking, and drinking larger quantities of alcohol than most. Only a licensed mental health professional or trained medical doctor can give you a diagnosis and help you figure out the next best steps for you. The statements in this quiz can help you figure out whether you might need the support of a mental health professional for the symptoms you’ve been experiencing. Not everyone with alcohol use disorder experiences it in the same way. While it may seem difficult or impossible, quitting drinking is achievable.

Treatment & Support

Please read the following 11 yes or no questions carefully and answer as honestly as you can. Keep in mind that the results may not be as accurate because they’re based on your perception of them and not their direct personal experience. Alcohol use disorder affects millions of adults and youth in the United States each year. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, in 2019, 14.5 million people ages 12 and older and an estimated 414,000 adolescents ages 12 to 17 were living with the condition.

Other signs of concern include needing to drink more alcohol to produce the same effects and having strong cravings for alcohol. Alcohol use that creates problems with your ability to function at home, at work, in school, or in your relationships is a sign of a drinking problem. Do you suspect that you are experiencing withdrawal from alcohol?

No matter whether a person has a mild or severe case of alcohol use disorder, the condition can seriously impact their daily life. While helpful, self-assessment with these tests should not be considered as a final diagnosis but can be useful in determining whether your current drinking habits may put you at risk of an AUD. Think about the different areas of your life and how alcohol has affected them. For example, maybe you have experienced legal issues like a DWI or lost your job because of your drinking. Perhaps, you may have been diagnosed with a health condition because of your drinking.

However, if you are drinking frequently or have problems because of alcohol you may wonder if you have a problem. Anyone who experiences concerns or troubles due to alcohol use may likely have a drinking problem. A problem with alcohol does not necessarily make a person an alcoholic, though. Exploring the differences between alcohol abuse and alcoholism can help people determine whether they have an addiction.