In order to determine whether a person has drifted from social drinking into problem drinking, it is good to check over the list of test questions and answer truthfully each one of them...

1.  Do you lose time from work due to drinking?

2.  Is drinking making your home life unhappy?

3.  Do you drink because you are shy with people?

4.  Is drinking affecting your reputation?

5.  Have you ever felt remorse after drinking?

6.  Have you gotten into financial difficulties as a result of drinking?

7.  Do you turn to lower companions and an inferior environment when drinking?

8.  Does your drinking make you careless of your family's welfare?

9.  Has your ambition decreased as a result of drinking?

10. Do you crave a drink at a definite time daily?

11. Do you want a drink the next morning?

12. Does drinking cause you to have difficulty sleeping?

13. Has your efficiency decreased since drinking?

14. Is drinking jeopardizing your job or business?

15. Do you drink to escape from trouble or worries?

16. Do you drink alone?

17. Have you ever had a complete loss of memory as a result of drinking?

18. Has your physician ever treated you for drinking?

19. Do you drink to build up your self confidence?

20. Have you ever been to a hospital or institution on account of drinking?

If you have answered yes to any one of the above questions there is a definite warning that you may be an alcoholic. If you have answered yes to any two, the chances are that you are an alcoholic. If you have answered yes to any three or more then you are definitely an alcoholic.

The above test questions were used by the John Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, Md., in deciding whether or not a patient is an alcoholic.

Does the person you are concerned about:

• Drink more now than in the past?
• Drink less but still has problems with alcohol?
• Neglect responsibilities with children due to substance abuse?
• Avoid social functions where alcohol is not served?
• Prefer to hang out with other heavy drinkers and avoid socializing with people who don't drink?
• Hide bottles of alcohol?
• Undergo a personality change when using alcohol or other drugs?
• Disrupt holidays or special occasions by getting high or drunk?
• Lie to employers, relatives or friends to hide his or her alcohol or drug use?
• Drive while intoxicated?
• Drink in the morning or early in the day?
• Drink alone?
• Deny drinking when it is obvious he or she has been drinking?
• Have friends or relatives ask him or her to stop or cut down on his or her use of alcohol or other drugs?
• Promise to stop using alcohol or other drugs but returned to use?
• Fail to remember what occurred during a period of alcohol and/or drug use?
• Have a family history of alcoholism?
• Have periods of remorse after drinking or drugging and apologize for his or her behavior?
• Justify his or her use by blaming a stressful life style or difficult emotional situations?
• Cause other family members to fear or avoid him or her when drinking?
• Get angry if someone suggestions there's a drinking problem?
• Break promises because of drinking or drug use?
• Have medical problems related to alcohol or other drug abuse?
• Shake in the morning or when abstaining from alcohol?
• Deny a drinking problem because he or she drinks only wine or beer?
• Have financial problems related to alcohol or other drugs?
• Have legal problems due to drugs or alcohol?
• Miss work or school because of alcohol or other drug use?
• Isolate from family and friends, preferring to drink alone or with drinking buddies?
• No longer care about personal hygiene?

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