Have you ever sat up in bed or pulled yourself off the floor at the end of a long night and thought, “Am I an alcoholic?” Maybe you were trying to focus at work or listen to a loved one talk despite a throbbing headache when that question silently rolled through your mind. Whatever the circumstances, there was something in your life that triggered a moment of self-reflection that you shouldn’t ignore.
Am I an Alcoholic? Put Yourself to the Test
That four-word question may seem innocent or dramatic the first time or two it crosses your mind. If it keeps coming up or your loved ones also seem worried about your drinking habits, perhaps it’s time to explore the answer to that question in more depth. To answer that question, read through the following signs of alcoholism. Give yourself one point for each indication that you relate to on any level. Even if you don’t think it’s a big deal right now, give yourself a point.
Signs of Alcoholism
Once you start drinking, you have a difficult time stopping: What would happen if you gave yourself a drink limit at a social event? If you’re not sure, challenge yourself and see. If you struggle to stop drinking when you reach your max, there’s a good chance you have a problem.
Drinking is involved in most of your hobbies or pastimes: How much of your free time do you spend drinking? If you’re going out more and more or can’t meet up with friends without having a drink or two, perhaps alcohol is too much of a focus in your life. Alcoholics tend to focus on the bottle more than friendships, romantic relationships, parenting, and hobbies.
Alcohol consumption has interfered with your professional or personal relationships at least once: Maybe you struggle to wake up and get yourself to work on time after a night out. You may argue with loved ones about coming home intoxicated or not showing up when expected. If you have had even one instance where alcohol played a part in disrupting your relationships or professional stability, give yourself a point.
When you aren’t drinking, you crave, think about, and/or have withdrawal symptoms: Alcohol withdrawal symptoms may include
- Shaking or tremors
- Hallucinations
- Difficulty breathing
- Racing heart
- High blood pressure
- Disorientation or confusion
- Excessive sweating
- Difficulty sleeping
You have performed an unsafe activity after or while drinking: Do you drive drunk or go skinny dipping when you’re buzzed? Maybe you’ve had a drink or two before going to work. It’s important to answer honestly here because any activity that you know is potentially dangerous without a clear, unintoxicated mind can earn you a point. It should possibly earn you two points if you intentionally put yourself or others in danger while under the influence of alcohol.
Am I an Alcoholic? What’s Your Score?
If you earned even one point, there’s a chance you should answer yes to the question, “Am I an alcoholic?” But if you still think you don’t have a problem, save this page and come back once or twice a week. Should you start to see more signs of alcoholism creep into your life, then it’s time to seek help before alcoholism deteriorates your quality of life.
Atlantic Recovery Center Can Help
“Am I an alcoholic?” It’s a question that every person who drinks even occasionally should ask themselves periodically. If you think you may have a problem, the Atlantic Recovery Center can help by providing the following services:
- Residential treatment
- Partial hospitalization
- Intensive outpatient care
- Aftercare
Addiction to alcohol doesn’t have to control or sabotage your life. Professional help from a high-quality drug and alcohol rehab center can put you back on the path to success. Contact us at 1-866-824-5193 to start your journey on the road to recovery.