Alcohol and Drug Self-Assessment

“What progress, you ask, have I made? I have begun to be a friend to myself.” – Hecato

In the following self-assessment, answer the questions honestly either yes or no. It only takes a minute and can help you better gauge whether or not you might have a problem with alcohol or other drugs.

• Have you ever decided to stop your drug use or drinking and been unable to do so for any length of time?
• Are other people bothered by your intake of drugs and alcohol? Do they make comments or make it apparent they are uncomfortable around you when you are intoxicated?
• Have you ever made an attempt to stop using or drinking by switching from beer to liquor, liquor to beer, heroin to pills or from hard drugs to pot and found that either you were unsuccessful or that you just added a new “flavor” to your drinking and using?
• In the past year have you ever had a drink or used drugs upon waking up to feel better from the night before?
• Do you wish you could be like other people who drink and/or use and do not get in trouble? Do you envy them?
• In the past year have you been in trouble at school, work or with the law as a result of drinking or drug use?
• In the past year has your drug use or drinking caused problems at home with your family, children, parents or spouse?
• Do you ever sneak drinks or hide your drug use at parties, or get high or “buzzed” before attending social events so that people can’t gauge how much you are using or drinking?
• Do you tell yourself that you can quit anytime but still get drunk and/or high without meaning to?
• Have you missed school, work or important family commitments because you were high, hung-over or drunk?
• Do you ever have “blackouts” or periods you can’t remember while using drugs or drinking?
• Have you ever felt that if you could only quit using or drinking that your life would be much better?

If you answered yes to five or more questions, your responses suggest that drinking or drug use has become a real problem for you and that your drinking or using is consistent with most definitions of alcoholism and drug addiction. Talking with Dr. Stanger will give you the opportunity to explore the possibilities available to you.

Source: Recovery Through Support