The idea that you might be dependent on a substance is a frightening one, and many people avoid asking the question: “Am I addicted?” Addiction is a complex and chronic brain disease that affects every part of a person’s life more and more as the condition progresses. Addressing it as soon as possible is essential to getting back on track for a happy and healthy life, while letting substance abuse continue unchecked will result in serious psychological and physical harm.

Addiction doesn’t occur all at once. It happens over time with repeated substance use, and many people don’t recognize the emotional and behavioral patterns that define the condition until it has grown out of control and taken over their life.

Drug and Alcohol Addiction Self Test

Identifying when substance abuse has turned to addiction can be complicated, especially when you are trying to evaluate yourself. When a medical or psychological professional wants to determine if someone is addicted to a substance, they use the criteria for substance use disorders (SUD) established in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). The following questions in this drug and alcohol addiction self test draw on the DSM-5 criteria to help you determine whether or not you need help overcoming addiction to drugs or alcohol.

If you answer “yes” to 3 or more questions per self test for drug and alcohol addiction, you may have a problem with alcohol or drugs. If a question isn’t applicable, select “no”.

Alcohol Addiction Self Test

Do you lose time from work or school due to drinking?

Yes
No

Do you drink because you are uncomfortable in social situations?

Yes
No

Do you drink alcohol to build up your self-confidence?

Yes
No

Is drinking affecting your relationships with friends?

Yes
No

Do you drink alone?

Yes
No

Do you drink to escape from studies or home worries?

Yes
No

Do you feel guilty or depressed after drinking alcohol?

Yes
No

Does it bother you when someone expresses concern over your drinking habits?

Yes
No

Do you have to take a drink when you go out to socialize?

Yes
No

Do you get along better with other people when you drink?

Yes
No

Do you get into financial troubles over buying liquor?

Yes
No

Do you feel more important when you drink?

Yes
No

Have you lost friends since you started drinking alcohol?

Yes
No

Do you drink more than most of your friends?

Yes
No

Have you started hanging around with a crowd that drinks more than your old friends?

Yes
No

Do you drink until you can’t drink anymore?

Yes
No

Have you ever had a complete loss of memory from drinking?

Yes
No

Have you ever been to a hospital or been arrested due to drunken behavior?

Yes
No

Do you think you have a problem with alcohol?

Yes
No

Drug Addiction Self Test

Do you feel like you need to use the drug regularly?

Yes
No

Do you make sure you have a steady supply of your drug of choice on hand?

Yes
No

Do you want to stop, but can’t?

Yes
No

If you feel you can’t stop using, do you do things you normally would not do to get drugs?

Yes
No

Do you feel you need drugs to function normally?

Yes
No

Are you willing to do something dangerous while taking drugs, like operating a motor vehicle, or some kind of equipment that could cause bodily harm?

Yes
No

If you answered “yes” to 3 or more questions in either test, you likely have a substance abuse problem that needs to be addressed.

Coming to grips with addiction is never easy, but there is effective treatment available at Gateway. We provide evidence-based programs to treat the full spectrum of addictions at multiple levels of care, as well as the mental health care many people need to recover successfully.

Trust Gateway to Help

Acknowledging that you have a problem is the first step toward healing and taking your life back into your own hands. It’s natural to be afraid of the next steps in your journey to recovery, but you don’t have to take them alone. Consider reaching out to our clinical experts here at Gateway. We’re here to help. You can also reach us at 877.505.4673.