Alcohol and drug problems occur at all educational and social levels, and in every age group. If you think that you (or a family member) may have a problem with alcohol or drugs, ask yourself the following questions. If the answer to any of them is “yes,” you need to examine how your alcohol or drug use is affecting your health, safety, relationships, family, job performance or finances.
Self-Test:
- Do you ever drink heavily or use drugs when you are disappointed, under pressure or have had a argument with someone?
- Do you sometimes feel guilty about your drinking or drug use? Do you do things while under the influence that you wouldn’t do otherwise? Do you find yourself regretting these actions later?
- Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking or using drugs any time you want to, but you keep getting drunk or high when you don’t intend to?
- Has a family member, friend, or your employer ever complained or expressed concern about your drinking or drug use? Are you annoyed by their concern? Do you become defensive?
- Do you sometimes have the “shakes” in the morning and find that it helps to have a “little” drink, or medication of some kind?
- Do you ever wake up the morning after with no memory of the night before? Have these “blackouts” become more frequent?
- Do you find yourself lying to your spouse, your kids, your friends, your employer to cover up your drinking or drug use – even though you really don’t like lying?
- Have you had financial, work, family or legal problems as a result of your drinking or drug use?
- Do you drink or get high while alone?
- Have you driven a car while intoxicated or in a drug-induced haze? Have you ever been arrested for driving under the influence of a substance?
- Do you need to resort to alcohol or drugs in order to do something (start the day, work, have sex, or socialize) or to change how you feel (sad, scared, anxious or angry), to banish shyness or bolster confidence?
- Do you notice you have an increased need for more alcohol or more of your drug of choice in order to feel the same effects?
- Do you sometimes feel uncomfortable when you have to be somewhere where no alcohol or drugs will be available? When drinking or using drugs with other people, do you keep going when everyone else has had enough?
- Has your drinking or drug use led to conflicts with your friends or family members? Do you regularly hide alcohol or drugs from those close to you so that they will not know how much you are using?
- Have you ever thought that your life might be better if you didn’t drink or use drugs, or that life as it is just isn’t worth living?
If you find the answer is “yes” to even two or three of the questions above, you should seriously consider the possibility that your drinking or drug use is a problem. Answering “yes” to three or more may indicate a dependency.
NOTE: The questionnaire above is for educational purposes only and does not provide a diagnosis of alcohol or drug abuse or addiction. It is not a substitute for a full evaluation by a healthcare professional, and should only be used as a guide to understanding your alcohol or drug use and related health issues.
Contact your EAP
Problem drinking or drug use can happen to anyone. The key is to recognize the problem early and seek professional assistance. Taking steps as soon as possible can help reduce the painful consequences that almost always come with excessive drinking or drug use. If you think that you or a household member might have a problem with alcohol or drugs, contact your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for CONFIDENTIAL counseling, referrals or information. EAP counselors are specially trained to help you get the right kind of help for a problem with alcohol or drugs. We’re here to help you.