Alcohol Use Test
Over the last year, I've ended up drinking more alcohol than I originally planned to.
During the past twelve months, I've found myself drinking for longer stretches than I meant to.
Whenever I decide to quit drinking, I can always follow through without trouble.
Occasionally, I question if I might be relying too much on alcohol.
Alcohol has caused me to have memory gaps or blackouts at least once.
My drinking has led to health issues that required medical attention.
There are moments when I feel guilty or regretful about how much I drink.
A significant portion of my time goes toward obtaining alcohol, drinking it, or bouncing back from its effects.
Even though I know alcohol is harming my body or mind, I haven't stopped using it.
My alcohol consumption has repeatedly caused problems in my relationships or social life, yet I keep drinking.
I often get intense urges or a powerful need to have a drink.
People close to me, like family or friends, have expressed worry about my drinking habits.
I've attempted to quit drinking on multiple occasions but ended up starting again.
To get the same feeling I want from alcohol, I now need to drink larger quantities than before.
When I try to stop drinking, I encounter uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
There have been times when alcohol use made me skip or underperform at work or school.
My drinking has occasionally caused me to overlook responsibilities to my family.
I've had to drop important activities at work, with friends, or for fun because of my alcohol use.
I've kept drinking in situations where it could be dangerous, like while driving or operating machinery.
I've turned to alcohol to ease the discomfort I feel when I'm not drinking.
20 questions remaining
Things to Know
Knowing the facts about drinking can help you make smart decisions. Here are some important things to think about.
- Being able to "hold your liquor," or having a high tolerance, is not a safety measure. In fact, having a low sensitivity to alcohol's effects can make it more likely that you will develop problematic use over time.
- Women are more likely than men to have health problems from drinking alcohol, even when they drink less. This is because of biological differences.
- Most of the time, alcohol use disorders start in young adults. The peak age for onset is in the late teens to mid-20s, and most people who get these disorders do so before they turn 30.
- Addiction changes the part of the brain that makes decisions. This means that someone with an alcohol use disorder may not really understand how their drinking is bad for them or the people around them.
- It's important to have protective factors. Having a strong sense of self-worth, a job you enjoy, and close, supportive relationships with family and friends can all help keep drug use from becoming a problem.
Now is the time to make changes.
If you want to change your relationship with alcohol, these steps you can take right away can help you get started.
- Improve your coping skills: Not being able to handle daily stress is a big reason why people use drugs. A basic step is to learn healthier ways to deal with stress, such as exercising, being mindful, or talking to a friend.
- Set limits: Make clear, useful rules for yourself. This could mean keeping track of how many drinks you have and making sure you have a few alcohol-free days every week.
- Go see your doctor. Sometimes people drink too much to deal with another problem. A doctor can help find and treat underlying problems like depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, or chronic pain, which often get better with the right care.
