Alcoholism Warning Signs
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More than a few people who drink excessively
realize that they have a drinking problem. What many people
don't know, however, is whether their drinking problem is
essentially a manifestation of alcohol abuse or alcoholism.
We present three self-assessment screening tools that are basically
"alcoholism warning signs" that should help clarify this
issue.
An Alcoholism and Drug Self-Assessment
Tool
The following self-assessment tool may help you
identify whether or not you have a drug or alcohol addiction
problem. Stated differently, this 20-question instrument
basically contains alcoholism warning signs and drug abuse warning
signs to help determine if you, a friend, or a loved one may have a
drug or alcohol addiction problem.
It is quite
possible that if you find yourself wondering if you really have a
drinking or drug problem, you probably do. If you answer yes
to four or more of the following questions, you may be dealing with
a definite alcoholism or drug abuse problem.
-
Has alcohol or drug use ever caused problems with
work, school, or caring for your children?
-
Has your drug use or drinking ever created a
problem in your relationships (fights with spouse, children, other
problems with those you love)?
-
Have you ever had legal trouble because of your
drug use or drinking (Possession, DUI, Public Drunkenness,
etc)?
-
Has using caused you to make new friends and lose
old friendships, created an unsatisfying feeling of loneliness or
isolation?
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Do you seek inferior companions while drinking or
using drugs?
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Have you ever tried to quit drinking or using
drugs?
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Have you ever been hospitalized for drinking or
using drugs?
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Do you suffer from memory loss as a result of
drinking or using drugs?
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Do you often think about how or when you will
next drink or use drugs?
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Do you have cravings for alcohol or drugs first
thing in the morning?
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Is there any recurring time during the day when
you find yourself thinking of drinking or using drugs?
-
Do you feel lack of motivation that you once had
because of drinking or using drugs?
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Do you ever suffer from insomnia?
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Do you ever suffer from blackouts?
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Do you drink or use drugs when you are
alone?
-
Do you ever feel guilty after drinking or using
drugs?
-
Have you gained a reputation drinker, partier, or
drug user?
-
Do you try to overcome shyness or become more
confident by drinking or using drugs?
-
Do you sometimes stay intoxicated or high on
drugs for days at a time?
-
When sober, do you sometimes regret things you
have said or done while under the influence of alcohol or
drugs?
source:
http://www.narconon-stonehawk.com/drug-rehab-self-assessment.html
| Research demonstrates that
parents who exhibit parental responsibility by taking the time and
making the effort to know the alcoholism warning signs in their
teenage sons and daughters can help lead to early corrective action
such as counseling and treatment and can, as a result, make a
substantial and positive difference in the drinking behavior of
their children. |
Ten Alcoholism Warning
Signs
Here's another self-assessment tool that contains
only 10 questions and focuses on various warning signs of
alcoholism.
The following are ten alcoholism warning signs:
- Do you ever drink after telling yourself you won't?
-
Does your drinking worry your
family?
-
Do you drink alone when you feel angry or
sad?
-
Have you ever felt you should cut down on your
drinking?
-
Do you get headaches or have hang-overs
after drinking?
-
Does your drinking ever make you late for
work?
-
Have people annoyed you by criticizing your
drinking?
-
Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your
drinking?
-
Do you ever forget what you did while you were
drinking?
-
Have you ever had a drink first thing in the
morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a
hangover?
If you answer even one of these questions with a
"yes," you could be an alcoholic. If you are concerned about
your drinking behavior or about your general health, make sure you
make an appointment with your healthcare practitioner or
doctor for an evaluation and for possible alcoholism
treatment.
|
Research shows that there a numerous warning signs of
alcoholism. The following represents some of the physical
warning signs of alcoholism: a sudden or dramatic weight loss,
frequent illness, atypical accidents or injuries, slurred or
agitated speech, poor hygiene or neglected appearance, and the
smell of alcohol on a person's
breath. |
The Johns Hopkins University
Hospital Screening Quiz
A similar instrument that centers on the warning
signs of alcoholism contains 20 instead of 10 questions. This
instrument is a self-assessment screening quiz developed by Johns
Hopkins University Hospital. According to the Office of
Health Care Programs, Johns Hopkins University Hospital, the
creators of this tool, if you answer 3 of these questions with a
"Yes" it is a strong indication that your drinking behavior is
harmful and that you can possibly be considered alcoholic or
alcohol dependent. Stated differently, if you answer three of
these questions in the affirmative, consider the possibility that
your answers are alcoholism warning signs.
| One study of emergency room
patients found that having had more than one drink doubled the risk
of injury, and more than four drinks increased the risk eleven
times. Another study reported that among emergency room patients
who were admitted for injuries, 47% tested positive for alcohol and
35% were intoxicated. Of those who were intoxicated, 75% showed
evidence of chronic alcoholism. Can anyone say alcoholism
warning signs? |
As articulated above, if after reviewing the
following warning signs of alcoholism you are concerned about your
drinking behavior and its effects on your health, you probably
should see your doctor or healthcare professional for an alcoholism
or alcohol abuse assessment.
-
Do you lose time from work due to
drinking?
-
Is drinking making your homelife
unhappy?
-
Do you drink because you are shy with other
people?
-
Is drinking affecting your reputation?
-
Have you ever felt remorse after
drinking?
-
Have you had financial difficulties as a result
of drinking?
-
Does your drinking make you careless of your
family's welfare?
-
Do you turn to inferior companions and
environments when drinking?
-
Has your ambition decreased since
drinking?
-
Do you crave a drink at a definite time
daily?
-
Do you want a drink the next morning?
-
Does drinking cause you to have difficulty in
sleeping?
-
Has your efficiency decreased since
drinking?
-
Is drinking jeopardizing your job or
business?
-
Do you drink to escape from worries or
trouble?
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Do you drink alone?
-
Have you ever had a loss of memory as a result of
drinking?
-
Has you physician ever treated you for
drinking?
-
Do you drink to build up your
self-confidence?
-
Have you ever been to a hospital or institution
on account of drinking?
source: http://alcoholism.about.com/od/tests/l/blquiz_alcohol.htm
| The earlier a person begins
drinking heavily, the greater their chance of developing serious
illnesses later on. Once one becomes dependent on alcohol, it is
very difficult to quit. In one study, after five years, two-thirds
of people with alcoholism were still dependent. Obviously,
these alcoholics somehow ignored their alcoholism warning
signs. |
Alcoholism Warning Signs:
Conclusion
Alcoholism Warning Signs.
Many individuals realize that they have a drinking problem.
Perhaps the main concern propounded by these individuals, however,
is whether they are alcohol dependent or whether they are basically
abusing alcohol without being addicted to alcohol. The
two 20-question self-assessment instruments and the "ten alcoholism
warning signs" outlined above provide various warning signs of
alcoholism and may help clarify the issue.
The best advice regarding your drinking
circumstance, however is this: if you are concerned about
your drinking behavior, make an appointment with your family doctor
or healthcare professional. He or she will be able to
better evaluate your particular situation and make sound and
effective recommendations regarding alcohol treatment or further
assessment.
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|
In the past, alcoholism was often viewed as a moral weakness or
character flaw; it was thought that the person could stop drinking
if he or she really wanted to. It wasn't until 1970, with the
establishment of NIAAA and a national public education effort, that
people began to understand and accept that alcoholism is a
life-threatening, chronic disease involving psychological and
physical dependence on alcohol. |
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