Drug and Alcohol Dependency - Know if You are Addicted

Drug & Alcohol Dependency

Do I have a Drug/Alcohol Problem?
Have you recently become concerned about your use of drugs and/or alcohol? Does it interfere with your life? Does it upset you to think about your use? Do you feel out of control when it comes to using drugs and alcohol? You may just have a problem. But don't worry! There is help out there.

Quick Checklist for Alcohol Dependency:

The following is a quick checklist that you can read down and get an idea of whether or not you are abusing alcohol.

Note as many of the following statements as fit you.

___ I frequently (once or twice a day) find that my conversation
centers on drug or drinking experiences.

___ I drink or get high to deal with tension or physical stress.

___ Most of my friends or acquaintances are people I drink or get high
with.

___ I have lost days of school/work because of drinking or other drug use.

___ I have had the shakes when going without drinking or using drugs.

___ I regularly get high or take a drink upon awakening, before eating,
or while at school/work.

___ I have been arrested for Driving Under the Influence of a substance.

___ I have periods of time that can't be remembered (blackouts).

___ Family members think drinking or other drug use is a problem for me.

___ I have tried to quit using substances but cannot. (A good test is voluntarily going for six weeks without substances and not experiencing physical or emotional distress.)

___ I often double up and/or gulp drinks or regularly use more drugs
than others at parties.

___ I often drink or take drugs to "get ready" for a social occasion.

___ I regularly hide alcohol/drugs from those close to me so that they
will not know how much I am using.

___ I often drink or get high by myself.

___ My drinking or use of drugs has led to conflict with my friends or
family members.

The above items are drawn from the clinical experiences of mental health professionals who have worked with people having alcohol or drug abuse problems. In general, the more items noted, the more likely there is a problem with using substances.

Scoring:
* If you noted three or four of the statements you should be suspicious about the way you use substances.
* If you noted five you may have the beginnings of a problem and perhaps should start looking for some kind of help.
* If you noted more than five, it would probably be a good idea to talk about your use of substances with a professional counselor.