Am I An Alcoholic? Self-Evaluation
- Medically Reviewed By: Megan Fisher, LCSW
- Reviewed On:
If you’re asking, “Am I an alcoholic?” you may have noticed changes in how much you drink, or how alcohol affects your life. The clinical term for a pattern of problematic drinking is alcohol use disorder (AUD). A healthcare professional can evaluate whether your drinking meets the criteria for this condition.
This self-evaluation gives you a starting point for reflection. It explores common signs of alcohol use disorder and may help you decide whether to talk with a professional. It’s not a diagnostic test. But a tool for self-reflection.
If you’re considering your next steps, you can also learn more about alcohol treatment support.
Alcohol Use Self-Evaluation
For each statement, choose the response that best reflects your experience best:
Never – This doesn’t happen to me.
Sometimes – This happens occasionally.
Often – This happens regularly or repeatedly
- I drink more alcohol than I intend to when I start drinking.
- I have wanted to cut down or control my drinking but found it difficult.
- I drink to cope with stress, anxiety, sadness, or other uncomfortable feelings.
- I continue drinking even when it causes problems in my relationships, work, or health.
- I’ve missed work, school, family events, or other responsibilities because of drinking.
- People close to me have expressed concern about my drinking.
- Symptoms such as shakiness, sweating, nausea, or trouble sleeping when I don’t drink.
- I need more alcohol than I used to in order to feel the same effects.
- I’ve tried to stop or cut back on drinking and found it difficult.
- My drinking has put me or someone else at physical risk.
These questions cover several signs of alcohol use disorder, including difficulty controlling drinking, continued use despite consequences, tolerance, withdrawal, and problems with daily responsibilities.
Understanding Your Results
There’s no score or cutoff for this alcohol self-assessment. Your answers can’t determine whether you have AUD.
Instead, look for patterns.
- If you chose Often for several statements, your drinking may be affecting your health, relationships, responsibilities, or ability to control alcohol use. Consider discussing those patterns with a professional.
- If you chose Sometimes for several statements, pay attention to whether those concerns become more frequent or disruptive.
- If you chose Never for most statements but still feel concerned, a professional can help you explore what’s happening.
You don’t need to wait for a crisis before asking for help. A professional evaluation can provide a cleaner picture than a self-assessment alone.
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What to Do If Your Results Concern You
A professional evaluation can help you better understand your drinking and your options.
You can start with a primary care provider, mental health professional, or addiction treatment professional. They may ask about how often you drink, how much you drink, attempts to cut back, withdrawal symptoms, and how alcohol affects your daily life. Standard screening tools can also help providers identify unhealthy alcohol use or possible AUD.
You can also explore alcohol use disorder treatment options to learn more about professional support.
If you drink heavily or have withdrawal symptoms when you stop, talk with a healthcare professional before stopping suddenly. Alcohol withdrawal can become serious or life-threatening.
how we can help
Talk to Someone at Crossroads Healing Centers
If your drinking concerns you, you can reach out for a free, confidential evaluation and discuss your options. Crossroads Healing Centers provides addiction and mental health treatment in Indiana.
To ask questions or learn more about the evaluation process, connect with our team.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this quiz a diagnosis?
No. This self-evaluation is for reflection only. It doesn’t use a validated scoring system and can’t diagnose alcohol use disorder. A healthcare professional can evaluate your symptoms and drinking patterns using established criteria.
What if I only relate to a few signs?
A few concerns can still be worth discussing. AUD can involve different symptoms and levels of severity for everyone. You don’t need to identify with every sign before talking with a professional.
What happens after I reach out for a free evaluation?
A professional may ask about your drinking habits, physical symptoms, attempts to cut back, and how alcohol affects your health and daily life. Then can use that information to determine whether further assessment or treatment may help.
Sources:
- Alcohol’s Effects on Health: Research-based information on drinking and its impact. – National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
- Alcohol Use Screening Tests – MedlinePlus: National Library of Medicine
- Alcohol Use and Your Health – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
