Do you think you have a problem with alcohol?
Yes
No
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.
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.
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
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
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.
