Do I have An Alcohol Problem?

Everyone will have their own picture of what an alcohol abuser or alcoholic is, someone sitting on a park bench with a bottle in a brown paper bag, someone who needs to drink first thing in the morning, a daily drinker drinking from dawn to dusk, and although this may represent an idea of alcohol abuse most do not conform to this stereotype. An alcohol problem can affect anyone. Below is a questionnaire that may help you to discover if you have an alcohol problem.

Questionnaire :

1.

Have you ever used alcohol to boost your self confidence?

2.

Have you ever drank to help you cope with problems?

3.

Have you ever missed school or work due to alcohol?

4.

Has your drinking ever caused trouble for you at home, work or school?

5.

Has anyone else ever commented on your drinking?

6.

Have you ever felt guilty after drinking?

7.

Have you ever felt more at ease around other people when drinking?

8.

Do you ever think you have a problem with alcohol?

9.

Have you lost friends since you started drinking?

10.

Have you ever have trouble remembering what happened the night before?

11.

Have you ever been in trouble with the police due to drinking?

12.

Have you ever borrowed money, or stolen in order to buy drink and alcohol?

13.

Do you need to drink more than you used to in order to get the effect you want?

14.

Has anyone in your family had a drink problem or been an alcoholic?

15.

Do you drink to enhance your life?

16.

Does a life without alcohol seem boring, that life will no longer be fun?

17.

Have you ever set a goal to stop or reduce your drinking and failed?

18.

What do you remember about the first time you ever had alcohol?

19.

How do you feel when you cannot have your favourite drink?

20.

Have you ever have regrets about how you behaved under the influence?

21.

Have you ever not remember what you did, or wondered how you got home?

22.

Do you think you drive better under the influence of drink?

23.

Have you ever changed your drink i.e. from spirits to wine?

24.

Have you ever blamed your state on not having eaten properly when drinking?

25.

Have you ever regretted having sex with someone due to your use of alcohol?

26.

Have you ever had unprotected sex as a result of having too much alcohol?

27.

Have you ever made excuses for getting out of control?

28.

Have your capabilities in life ever been affected by your drink use?

29.

Have you ever regretted spending money on alcohol after you have already spent it?

30.

Have you ever woken in the morning with regret and shame and feeling of disgust over your behaviour?

31.

Have you ever felt useless or hopeless?

32.

Have you ever felt that you should cut down on your drinking?

33.

Have people ever annoyed you by commenting on or criticising your drinking?

34.

Have you ever felt guilty or uncomfortable about your drinking?

35.

Have you ever had a drink early in the day to steady your nerves or cure a hangover?

36.

Do you need to drink regularly?

37.

Do you ever drink alone?

38.

Have you ever hidden alcohol in the home, workplace or car?

39.

Have you ever needed a drink to stop trembling (the shakes)?

40.

Have you ever drank early or first thing in the morning?

41.

Have you ever had a craving to drink alcohol?

42.

Has your social life ever deliberately revolved around drinking and ever neglected other interests or social activities to allow time for drinking?

The questions above will help you decide whether it would be useful to seek further advice. If you find that you answer yes to more than three or four questions then there are definite indications of alcohol dependency and you should seriously consider pursuing help or advice.

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