Am I An Alcoholic? 20 Questions to Ask Yourself
- Are you experiencing cravings for alcohol, the act of drinking or the act of being drunk?
- Is thinking about alcohol or having a drink at the forefront of your mind a lot of the time?
- Have you ever felt like you should cut back on your alcohol consumption levels?
- Are you hiding how much you are drinking from anyone close to you?
- Do you feel shame and guilt around your drinking patterns?
- Are you drinking alone regularly?
- Is alcohol in any way controlling your life or schedule?
- Do you experience blackouts when you drink?
- Do you drink more heavily based on your emotions or stress levels?
- Have friends or family expressed concern towards your drinking habits?
- Have you tried to switch the types of alcohol or brands you consume in an effort to control your drinking?
- Has there ever been a time that you tried to quit drinking or promised to yourself that you would stop, but could not manage to do so for more than a couple of days?
- Does drinking affect your personal life in any way such as missing work or having arguments with people?
- Do you ever wonder what your life would look like if you did not drink?
- Have you been in trouble with the law while under the influence?
- Do you become a different person when you drink such as a daredevil, angry, violent or more extroverted?
- Do you binge drink or drink heavily on a regular basis?
- Are you able to have a couple of drinks at happy hour and call it a night easily or do you tend to gravitate towards keeping the partying going once alcohol is in your system?
- Do you compromise on your morals or values while drinking?
- Do you experience any type of alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, anxiety, depression, vomiting in the morning, or when you don’t drink for a couple of days?
If you answered yes to several of these questions, it is possible that a drinking problem could be present. A good rule of thumb is if you are questioning if you have an alcohol problem, it likely means there is one. It’s nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed by. Many people face this question and few seek treatment when they know the answer is yes. So, just moving through this exercise is a great first step and help is available to you.
If you have spent any time wondering if you’re an alcoholic, there is a chance you might be struggling with this very common addiction. Contact Alcoholics Anonymous in your area or an addiction professional today and speak with someone to learn more about the resources available to you.
