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Alcohol and Other Drug Use Self-Assessment

The purpose of this newsletter is not to diagnose a substance abuse problem. Only a qualified professional, such as a doctor or counselor, can make such a diagnosis. The conclusions you draw from reading this newsletter may lead you to seek assistance from just such a qualified professional. What is an addiction?

The prevailing medical source on the subject, the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual or DSM, defines addiction (also called “substance dependence”) as a pattern of alcohol or other drug use marked by at least three of the following conditions:

  • needing more of the substance to achieve the desired high (also called “increased tolerance”)
  • feeling uncomfortable after a period of abstinence from the substance (also called “withdrawal”)
  • using the substance in greater amounts or for a longer amount of time than intended
  • not being able to cut down or control use of the substance
  • continuing to use the substance despite knowing that use is causing physical or psychological problems
  • giving up social, recreational, or work-related responsibilities to allow more time for drinking or drugging
  • spending more time planning the next drinking or drugging episode

Someone with three or more of these signs may have an addiction problem. This person should contact a qualified professional for further information and assistance.

A Self-Test for Alcohol or Other Drug Problems

Interviews with people who’ve sought counseling for an alcohol or other drug problem show that a somewhat predictable pattern of behaviors develops with time. Some of these behaviors are more serious than others. For instance, drinking and driving is far more dangerous than drinking alone. But all such substance-related behaviors point to an overriding concern—that alcohol or other drugs may be gradually taking control of the person’s life.

The 15 questions that follow reflect this loss of control to alcohol or other drugs. One “yes” answer is reason to be alert to the possibility that alcohol or other drugs have become a problem. The likelihood that the problem is serious increases with each succeeding yes. Answer all questions with complete honesty. To be anything but honest on a self-test is a form of denial, and denial is another sign that alcohol or other drugs are taking control.

  1. Do you frequently use alcohol or other drugs by yourself?
  2. Has your tolerance increased? In other words, do you have to use more of the substance to reach your desired “high”?
  3. Do you find it hard to cut back on your drinking or drugging even though you’ve made a promise to yourself that you will?
  4. Are you experiencing problems at work or at school because of your substance use?
  5. Do you find that you’re using alcohol or other drugs more regularly, such as every weekend or every time you’re with friends?
  6. Do you turn to alcohol or other drugs to get away from problems at home or on the job?
  7. Is there a history of alcoholism or drug addiction in your family?
  8. Have you ever tried to control your drinking or drug use by changing jobs, moving or ending a relationship?
  9. When you’re drinking or drugging, do you do things that you later regret?
  10. Do you sometimes drink or use drugs for several days at a time?
  11. Are you purposefully mixing drugs, such as using marijuana or cocaine with alcohol?
  12. Have you been in trouble with the law because of your drinking or drugging?
  13. Has someone close to you ever mentioned that you get drunk or high too often? Did this annoy you?
  14. Do you believe that you have to drink or use drugs in order to have a good time?
  15. Have you ever had a black-out (having no recollection of what happened) while you were drinking or drugging?

If the concerns about your relationship with alcohol or other drugs after taking the CAGE or 15-question self-test, talk to someone. You may begin by calling your health insurance carrier to learn about the availability of treatment services through your health plan. You also might look under “Alcoholism Information and Treatment” in your Yellow Pages. Help also may be available through the employee assistance program where you work or your school’s student assistance program.

Addiction is a treatable disease. And someone with a substance abuse problem can learn new ways of controlling his/her drinking or drug use. All it takes is one call.

(Item #6086 Copyright © MM PRP Media, Troy, Michigan 1-800-453-7733)

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