Am I Addicted?

Only you can truly answer this question. However, following are 15 questions that can help you decide whether or not your "use" has turned into "abuse". Please take a few moments to read the questions carefully and answer honestly.

Answer YES or NO to the following questions.

1 - Have you ever decided to stop drinking or taking drugs for a short period of time, but not been able to stick with it?

2 - Have other people told you they are concerned about your drinking or drug use?
 
3 - Have you ever switched from one kind of drink or drug to another in the hope that this would keep you from getting drunk?

 4 - Do you ever take a drink or a drug when you first get up, just to "get going" or stop the shakes?

 5 - Do you ever wonder why other people seem to be able to drink without getting into trouble?
 
6 - Have you had problems connected with drinking or drug use during the past year, whether legal, medical, financial or social?

7 - Has your drinking caused trouble with your personal relationships (parents, children, significant other)?

8 - Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking or drugging any time you want to, even though you keep getting drunk or stoned when you don't mean to?

9 - Have you missed days of work or school because of drinking or drug use?

10 - Do you have "blackouts" (times when you are drinking or using drugs and cannot remember what you've done after you are sober again)?
 

What's your score?

Did you answer YES four or more times? If so, you probably have a drug and/or alcohol problem. Only you can decide if you are ready to do something about your drug or alcohol problem, but when you area ready, help is there. Call us at 338-4858 for more information or for a confidential screening

What's your Alcohol IQ?

 What do you really know about alcohol? Take this test to check your "Alcohol IQ"

1	Drinking a glass of milk coats the stomach and protects you from getting intoxicated for moderate amounts of alcohol.	T	F
2	A person can be drunk (legally intoxicated) and not stagger or slur his or her speech.	T	F
3	It is easy to tell if people are drunk, even if you don't know them well.	T	F
4	A person drinking on an empty stomach will get drunk faster.	T	F
5	People's moods help determine how they are affected by alcohol.	T	F
6	A woman and a man both weigh 146 pounds. They each drink 4 beers over a 3-hour period. At the end of the 3 hour period, the intoxication level (BAC) will be: A) Higher for the man B) Almost the same C) Higher for the woman D) Zero, as the alcohol will process out of both drinkers by that time	A B C D
7	A person who weighs less becomes intoxicated faster than a heavier person.	T	F
8	The only sure way to tell if a person is legally intoxicated is by measuring their blood alcohol content (BAC) via a quality breathalyzer or actual blood test.	T	F
9	People who are drunk cannot compensate for it when they drive.	T	F
10	In a fatal drunk driving accident, the drunk is usually not the one killed.	T	F
11	Drinking black coffee can help sober up a person.	T	F
12	Alcoholic beverages are a stimulant.	T	F
13	A "drink" can warm you up on cold days.	T	F
14	Alternating among different types of beverages during an evening of drinking: A) Will make you sick B) Is OK if you are male because of higher normal body weight, body water content, and higher level of stomach enzymes that break down alcohol C) Is no different to the body than drinking the same type of alcohol D) Will get you intoxicated quicker than sticking with one type of alcoholic beverage	A B C D
15	A cold shower will sober up an intoxicated individual.	T	F

 ANSWERS: 1 - False; 2 - True; 3 - False; 4 - True; 5 - True; 6 - C; 7 - True; 8 - True; 9 - True; 10 - False; 11 - False; 12 - False; 13 - False; 14 - C; 15 - False.

 How did you do? Were you surprised when you checked your answers against the answer key? Many people believe they know more about the effects of alcohol on the body than they really do. It is not always easy to tell when someone is legally drunk, for instance. We don't all react the same way to the same amount of alcohol. Cold showers and hot coffee will not help someone who is drunk to sober up. Only enough time for the body to process and rid itself of the alcohol will do that. And not only can someone who is drunk not compensate for the effects on their driving, they cannot keep themselves or anyone else from getting hurt if they take the risk of driving drunk.

Most people who use drugs abusively know even less about the effects of the drug they are taking on their body. We are still learning about some of the long-term consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. Don't put your future health and safety at risk by abusing drugs or alcohol. If you are concerned about your drug or alcohol use, call 338-4858 for answers to your questions or to arrange for a confidential assessment.