The National Institutes of Health has designed a questionnaire to identify symptoms of alcohol abuse and dependence. According to NIH, a positive to just one question may indicate alcohol abuse and answering yes to three or more suggests alcohol dependence or alcoholism.
Here are the questions. In the past year, have you:
Had times when you ended up drinking more than you intended?
More than once wanted to cut down on drinking, but could not?
More than once gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased your chances of getting hurt, such as driving or having unsafe sex?
Continued to drink even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious adding to another health problem, or after haing a memory blackout?
Spent a long time drinking or getting over the aftereffects of drinking?
Continued to drink even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends?
Found that drinking or being sick from drinking often interfered with taking care of your home or family, or caused trouble at your work or school?
Givn up or cut back on activities that were important or interesting to you in order to drink?
More than once gotten arrested or had other legal problems becuase of your drinking?
Had to drink much more than you once did to get the effect you want or found that your usual number of drinks had much less effect than before
Found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, sweating, a racing heart or seizure?
If you have a loved one who answers yes to any of these questions, an interventionist can help.
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