You Can Stop Drinking Now

Sometimes it’s not easy to determine if you have crossed that invisible line and have actually become an alcoholic.  Here is a self-assessment tool that will help you to decide whether or not you have are an alcoholic, and have possibly developed an addiction to alcohol.  If you answer yes to four or more of these questions you may be an alcoholic:

1. Has alcohol use ever caused you problems with work, school, or irresponsible behavior at home?
2. Has your drinking ever created a problem in your relationships (altercations with your love interest or spouse, family members, or other problems with those you love)?
3. Have you ever had legal problems because of your drinking (DUI, Public Drunkenness, etc.)?
4. Has using caused you to make new drinking friends, lose old friendships, or created an unsettling feeling of loneliness or isolation?
5. Do you seek inferior company while drinking?
6. Have you ever tried to stop drinking? 
7. Have you ever been hospitalized for drinking? 
8. Are you suffering from memory loss as a result of drinking? 
9. Do you give thought to how or when you will have your next drink? 
10. Do you have cravings for alcohol? 
11. Is there any recurring time during the day when you find yourself thinking of drinking? 
12. Do you feel you lack motivation that you once had because of drinking?
13. Do you ever experience blackouts? 
14. Do you drink alone? 
15. Do you ever feel guilty after drinking? 
16. Have you acquired a reputation as a drinker? 
17. Do you try to overcome shyness or become more confident by drinking?
18. Do you sometimes stay intoxicated for days at a time? 
19. When sober, do you regret the things you have said or done while under the influence of alcohol ?

Many times we are the last to know when we have developed a drinking problem, but at some point, if you do having a drinking problem, you will recognize that alcohol is interfering (having an adverse effect) on your life.