Am I Addicted?

Everyone knows that the first step in recovery is realizing that you have a problem. Addiction isn’t always obvious, and sometimes reflection is really needed in order to identify that there’s a problem. Hearing complaints or comments from friends or family isn’t always enough. People have to come to terms with and face the reality of addiction themselves. That’s why performing a drug addiction self-assessment or an alcohol addiction self-assessment is so important. When you have a moment, you can look through these questions. Be sure to answer each one honestly. You may even try to recall a particular moment or experience. This could be the first step on a long and rewarding road to recovery.

Take Self-Assessment Now

Take a moment to complete our self-assessment addiction questionnaire, which has been specifically designed to help you determine if you or your loved one has a problem and needs help – it is entirely confidential and we have no way of recording your answers.

The CAGE Test for Alcohol Addiction
This simple test is surprisingly accurate. Answer yes or no to each question.
  • Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking?
  • Have you ever been Annoyed when people have commented on your drinking?
  • Have you ever felt Guilty or badly about your drinking?
  • Have you ever had an Eye opener first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?
Your score:

Score one point for each yes answer. (I)
If you scored 1, there is an 80% chance you’re addicted to alcohol.
If you scored 2, there is an 89% chance you’re addicted to alcohol.
If you scored 3, there is a 99% chance you’re addicted to alcohol.
If you scored 4, there is a 100% chance you’re addicted to alcohol.

The AUDIT Test for Alcohol Addiction (Alcoholism)
To correctly answer some of these questions you need to know the definition of a drink. For this test one drink is:

One can of beer (12 oz or approx 330 ml of 5% alcohol), or
One glass of wine (5 oz or approx 140 ml of 12% alcohol), or
One shot of liquor (1.5 oz or approx 40 ml of 40% alcohol).

1. How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?

  • Never (score 0)
  • Monthly or Less (score 1)
  • 2-4 times a month (score 2)
  • 2-3 times a week (score 3)
  • 4 or more times a week (score 4)

2. How many alcoholic drinks do you have on a typical day when you are drinking?

  • 1 or 2 (0)
  • 3 or 4 (1)
  • 5 or 6 (2)
  • 7-9 (3)
  • 10 or more (4)

3. How often do you have 6 or more drinks on one occasion?

  • Never (0)
  • Less than monthly (1)
  • Monthly (2)
  • Weekly (3)
  • Daily or almost daily (4)

4. How often during the past year have you found that you drank more or for a longer time than you intended?

  • Never (0)
  • Less than monthly (1)
  • Monthly (2)
  • Weekly (3)
  • Daily or almost daily (4)

5. How often during the past year have you failed to do what was normally expected of you because of your drinking?

  • Never (0)
  • Less than monthly (1)
  • Monthly (2)
  • Weekly (3)
  • Daily or almost daily (4)

6. How often during the past year have you had a drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?

  • Never (0)
  • Less than monthly (1)
  • Monthly (2)
  • Weekly (3)
  • Daily or almost daily (4)

7. How often during the past year have you felt guilty or remorseful after drinking?

  • Never (0)
  • Less than monthly (1)
  • Monthly (2)
  • Weekly (3)
  • Daily or almost daily (4)

8. How often during the past year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because of your drinking?

  • Never (0)
  • Less than monthly (1)
  • Monthly (2)
  • Weekly (3)
  • Daily or almost daily (4)

9. Have you or anyone else been injured as a result of your drinking?

  • No (0)
  • Yes, but not in the past year (2)
  • Yes, during the past year (4)

10. Has a relative, friend, doctor, or health care worker been concerned about your drinking, or suggested that you cut down?

  • No (0)
  • Yes, but not in the past year (2)
  • Yes, during the past year (4)

Your score:

If you scored 8-10 or more, you are probably addicted to alcohol.
The AUDIT questionnaire is an easy test to “fail”. If you applied this test to other aspects of your life you will almost certainly come up as being addicted to something such as television, or eat too much junk food. But those are termed “soft addictions”, and the AUDIT questionnaire was NOT designed to assess them.

It is reliable for assessing alcohol addiction.

Disclaimer: The results of this self-test are not intended to constitute a diagnosis of drug addiction and should be used solely as a guide to understanding your drug use and the potential health issues involved with it. The information provided here cannot substitute for a full evaluation by a health professional.

The AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The test correctly classifies 95% of people into either alcoholics or non-alcoholics. It was tested on 2000 people before being published. (II)

I) Ewing JA. Detecting alcoholism, the CAGE questionnaire. Journal American Medical Association. 1984 252(14): 1905-1907.

II) Babor TF, Higgins-Biddle JC, Saunders JB, Monteiro MG. AUDIT: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Guidelines for Use in Primary Care. World Health Organization, Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence. WHO/MSD/MSB/01.6a: 1-41.

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