Are you worried you’re an alcoholic? Take this quiz to find out — and here’s all the warning signs
FROM “wine o’clock” to “one for the road”, some of us find any excuse for a drink. But have you crossed the line to dependency?
Adrian Chiles’ new documentary Drinkers Like Me, to be screened next Monday on BBC2, examines just how addicted we are to alcohol.
3 — Do you feel content when you are drinking alone?
- Yes – 2 points
- No – 0 points
- Sometimes – 1 point
4 — Do you drink heavily when you are disappointed, under pressure or after a fight, in a bid to change your mood?
- Yes – 2 points
- No – 0 points
- Sometimes – 1 point
5 — Can you handle more alcohol now than when you first started to drink?
- Yes – 1 point
- No – 0 points
6 — Do you drink something alcoholic every day?
- Yes – 2 points
- No – 0 points
7 — Have you ever been unable to remember part of the previous evening?
- Yes, many times – 2 points
- Yes, once or twice – 1 point
- No, never – 0 point
8 — Do you sometimes feel uncomfortable if alcohol is not available?
- Yes, it’s all I think about – 2 points
- Yes, sometimes – 1 point
- No, I don’t mind – 0 points
9 — Do you look forward to your first drink of the day, perhaps after work or once the kids are in bed?
- Yes, every day – 2 points
- Yes, sometimes – 1 point
- No – 0 point
10 — Do you ever feel guilty about your drinking?
- Yes – 2 points
- No – 0 points
- Sometimes – 1 point
11 — When you’re sober, do you often regret things you said or did while drinking alcohol?
- Yes, all the time but I usually find a way to justify it – 2 points
- Yes, sometimes – 1 point
- No, never – 0 points
12 — Do you sometimes have the shakes in the morning and find that it helps to have a little drink, or medication of some kind?
- Yes, all the time – 2 points
- Yes, I have experienced this – 1 point
- No, never – 0 points
13 — Are you having financial, work, school and/or family problems as a result of your drinking?
- Yes, my life is a mess – 3 points
- Sometimes I argue with those close to me – 2 points
- My boss has commented on my drinking – 2 points
- No – 0 points
14 — Has anyone ever been injured as a result of your drinking?
- Yes, more than once – 2 points
- Yes, on one occasion – 1 point
- No, never – 0 points
15 — If you are drinking with friends, do you often have one or two more before they arrive or after they go home?
- Yes, all the time – 2 points
- Sometimes, yes – 1 point
- No, never – 0 point
16 — Do you ever use these excuses for drinking alcohol?
- I’ve had a tough day
- I haven’t got work tomorrow
- The sun is shining
- I’m out with my mates
- I’ve just been paid
- I’ve got friends coming over
- “Hair of the dog”
Score 1 point for each “yes”
17 — Has a relative, friend or medical professional ever suggested you cut down on your drink?
- Yes, lots of people say I drink too much – 3 points
- Yes, it has been mentioned – 2 points
- No, never – 0 points
18 — Do you often plan to have one drink at happy hour, then down four?
- Yes, all the time – 2 points
- Yes, sometimes – 1 point
- No, never – 0 points
19 — Do you often not do what is expected of you due to drinking? Perhaps you fail or struggle to put the kids to bed at home?
- Yes, all the time –2 points
- Yes, from time to time – 1 point
- No, never – 0 points
20 — Have you had to take time off work or school after drinking alcohol?
- Yes, every week – 3 points
- Yes, once a month – 2 points
- Yes, once or twice – 1 point
- No, never – 0 points
YOUR TOTAL SCORE:
Safe drinker (0-5 points)
Dr Lefever says: "Abstinence is safest of all, particularly if you have been advised by a doctor to avoid booze. No need to change your drinking habits.";
Moderate (6-30)
Dr Lefever says: "You are someone who can be silly with alcohol on rare occasions but causes no damage or trouble to yourself or others.
"But be aware that binge drinking, even occasionally, can have negative effects on your health. Spread your units through the week."
Heavy (31-34)
Dr Lefever says: "You are someone who disregards the damage you cause by drinking to yourself and others.
"What we call 'functioning' alcoholics often try to use this term as reassurance. It isn’t. You are on a one-way street towards full-blown alcoholism."
Alcoholic (35-50)
Dr Lefever says: "You suffer from what I call neurotransmission disease where something is wrong in the way brain cells communicate.
"Sufferers feel an inner emptiness, which is alleviated by alcohol. I advise doing the 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous programme."
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