Ten Warning Signs of Alcoholism
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 Many people who drink heavily realize that they have a drinking problem. What many individuals don't know, however, is if
their drinking problem is basically alcohol abuse or alcoholism.
In short, what these people need in some sort of list that points out some of the warning signs of alcoholism. In line
with this logic, here's a focus on ten warning signs of alcoholism that may help clarify this issue.
A Listing of Ten Warning Signs of Alcoholism
The following are ten warning signs of alcoholism:
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Do you ever drink after telling yourself you won't?
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Does your drinking worry your family?
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Do you drink alone when you feel angry or sad?
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Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
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Do you get headaches or have hang-overs after drinking?
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Does your drinking ever make you late for work?
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Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
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Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
- Do you ever forget what you did while you were drinking?
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Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?
 If you answer even one of these questions with a "yes," you could be an alcoholic. If you are concerned about your drinking
or how drinking is affecting your health, your relationships, your financial situation, your employment, or your school work, make
sure you make an appointment with your doctor or with another healthcare professional for an assessment and for possible
treatment.
The Johns Hopkins University Hospital Screening Quiz
 A similar instrument that contains 20 rather than 10 questions is a self-assessment screening quiz by Johns Hopkins University
Hospital. According to the Office of Health Care Programs, Johns Hopkins University Hospital, the developers of this screening
quiz, if you answer 3 of these questions with a "Yes" it is a definite sign that your drinking patterns are harmful and that you can
possibly be considered alcohol dependent or alcoholic. As outlined above, if you are concerned about your drinking behavior and its
effects on your health, you probably should see your doctor or healthcare professional for an assessment.
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Do you lose time from work due to drinking?
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Is drinking making your homelife unhappy?
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Do you drink because you are shy with other people?
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Is drinking affecting your reputation?
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Have you ever felt remorse after drinking?
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Have you had financial difficulties as a result of drinking?
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Does your drinking make you careless of your family's welfare?
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Do you turn to inferior companions and environments when drinking?
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Has your ambition decreased since drinking?
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Do you crave a drink at a definite time daily?
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Do you want a drink the next morning?
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Does drinking cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
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Has your efficiency decreased since drinking?
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Is drinking jeopardizing your job or business?
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Do you drink to escape from worries or trouble?
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Do you drink alone?
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Have you ever had a loss of memory as a result of drinking?
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Has you physician ever treated you for drinking?
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Do you drink to build up your self-confidence?
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Have you ever been to a hospital or institution on account of drinking?
source: http://alcoholism.about.com/od/tests/l/blquiz_alcohol.htm
| At-risk alcohol use, or problem drinking, is defined as more than seven drinks per week or more than three drinks
per occasion for women; and more than 14 drinks per week or more than four drinks per occasion for men. Heavy drinking is often
defined as more than three to four drinks per day for women and more than five to six drinks per day for men. |
Another Alcoholism Self-Assessment Tool
Here's yet another self-assessment tool to help you identify whether or not you have an alcohol addiction problem. Use this
brief instrument to help determine if you, a loved one, or a friend may have a drug addiction or alcohol problem.
Chances are that if you find yourself wondering if there really is a problem, their probably is. If you answer yes to 4 or more
of these questions, you may be dealing with a definite drug or alcohol problem.
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Has alcohol or drug use ever caused problems with work, school, or caring for your children?
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Has your drug use or drinking ever created a problem in your relationships (fights with spouse, children, other problems with those
you love)?
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Have you ever had legal trouble because of your drug use or drinking (Possession, DUI, Public Drunkenness, etc)?
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Has using caused you to make new friends and lose old friendships, created an unsatisfying feeling of loneliness or isolation?
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Do you seek inferior companions while drinking or using drugs?
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Have you ever tried to quit drinking or using drugs?
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Have you ever been hospitalized for drinking or using drugs?
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Do you suffer from memory loss as a result of drinking or using drugs?
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Do you often think about how or when you will next drink or use drugs?
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Do you have cravings for alcohol or drugs first thing in the morning?
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Is there any recurring time during the day when you find yourself thinking of drinking or using drugs?
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Do you feel lack of motivation that you once had because of drinking or using drugs?
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Do you ever suffer from insomnia?
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Do you ever suffer from blackouts?
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Do you drink or use drugs when you are alone?
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Do you ever feel guilty after drinking or using drugs?
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Have you gained a reputation drinker, partier, or drug user?
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Do you try to overcome shyness or become more confident by drinking or using drugs?
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Do you sometimes stay intoxicated or high on drugs for days at a time?
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When sober, do you sometimes regret things you have said or done while under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
source: http://www.narconon-stonehawk.com/drug-rehab-self-assessment.html
| Without adequate attention to the mental health needs of a person with alcohol dependence, little progress will be
made. Often alcoholism remains unsuspected even by the doctor, and it may come to light only when medical tests are done for
other reasons. |
Ten Warning Signs of Alcoholism: Conclusion
Many individuals realize that they have a drinking problem. Perhaps the main concern posed by these people, however, is
whether they are alcohol dependent or are they mainly abusing alcohol. The ten warning signs of alcoholism and
the two 20-question self-assessment instruments outlined above may help clarify the issue.
The best advice, however is this: if you are concerned about your drinking behavior, make an appointment with your family
doctor. He or she will be able to better evaluate your situation and make solid and reasonable recommendations regarding treatment or
additional analysis.
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| Research shows that the risk for developing alcoholism does indeed run in families. The genes a person inherits
partially explain this pattern, but lifestyle is also a factor. Currently, researchers are working to discover the actual genes
that put people at risk for alcoholism. Your friends, the amount of stress in your life, and how readily available alcohol is
also are factors that may increase your risk for alcoholism. |
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