25 Questions (Are you an alcoholic?)

Janis L. McLaughlin, M.Ed., LCADA Prevention Coordinator

Here are twenty-five questions you can ask yourself to find out if you have an alcohol problem. If you answer yes to any three, you have a problem. Answering “Yes” does not mean you may have the beginning of a problem. It means you have a problem and should seek help. Be as honest as you can. Saying “No” when it should be “Yes” does not change the situation. Think about it. Saying “No” when it should be “Yes” is its own indicator that there is a problem. Be brave. You are not alone. There is help. Alcoholism is a treatable disease.

1. Do you drink to feel better about yourself?
2. Do you turn to alcohol when you have troubles?
3. Do you make excuses for the reason you drink?
4. Do you feel guilty after drinking?
5. Do you drink to help you sleep?
6. Have you ever fallen down or burned yourself while you were drinking?
7. Do you feel worried, anxious, or depressed most of the time?
8. Do you find yourself not realizing you are repeating things while drinking?
9. Have you ever been unable to remember what happened while you were drinking?
10. Have you ever missed work or put off work because of drinking (or a hangover)?
11. Have you ever put yourself or others in danger by driving after drinking?
12. Have you had financial or legal problems in which drinking was involved?
13. Do you drink alone?
14. Do you drink less when others are present?
15. Do you often feel the need to telephone people when you are drinking?
16. Have you changed friends to be around people who drink like you do?
17. Do you plan activities around being able to drink?
18. Do you find yourself thinking of drinking in-between times?
19. Have you failed in promises to yourself to cut down on your drinking?
20. Are there times when you don’t drink because you’re afraid you’ll lose control of yourself?
21. Do you drink and use other drugs (prescription, non-proscription or illegal)?
22. Do you hide your drinking from your spouse or children?
23. Have others told you that they think you drink too much?
24. Is your mother, father, spouse or sibling a heavy drinker?
25. Do you think you drink too much?
Believe me when I say that people who do not have problems with alcohol do not answer yes to these questions. If you find that impossible to believe, you are trying to prove to yourself that you do not have a problem.
If you have questions, please call Heartland Circle of LCADA.