Do You Think You Have a Problem With Drugs or Alcohol? Take Our Addiction Quiz to Find Out
Coming to terms with the fact that you have an issue with alcoholism or addiction can be difficult. There is no medical test that can give you a definitive answer on whether or not you are afflicted with these illnesses and the denial that comes along with them can often times shroud the truth for years.
Even though your life may be falling apart and all signs point towards the fact that it is the drugs and alcohol that are causing this, an individual with alcoholism or addiction can find ways to justify their behaviors and keep using. They will tell themselves that it is everyone else’s fault that they are experiencing difficulties, and if everyone just left them alone, all would be well. They will tell themselves that the laws in this country are unfair, and that is why they continue to get into legal trouble. Or they will tell themselves that people just don’t understand and that they need to use or drink because of the way their life is.
While all of these things seem to make sense to the addict or alcoholic, they are in fact only justifications that alcoholism and addiction uses in order to keep an individual sick. In order to break free from these justifications, the individual must come to terms with their illness and accept the fact that they are unable to drink or use successfully.
If you think that you may have an issue with drug addiction or alcoholism, read on to find out about the common signs of addiction, and take our addiction quiz to see if you have a problem.
Common Signs of Addiction
- An inability to stop using or drinking even when you want to
- You experience withdrawal symptoms when you do not use for a period of time
- A sudden increase or decrease in appetite
- Insomnia
- Health issues related to substance abuse
- A loss of interest in social or recreational activities
- Fear of running out of your chosen substance
- Exhibiting risk-taking behavior that is uncharacteristic
- An inability to deal with life or problems that may arise
- An increase in secrecy or isolation
- Denial about substance abuse issues or about certain issues that are arising
- Using more than you intended to use
- An Increase in tolerance
- A loss of interest in hobbies that you once participated in
- Hiding drug or alcohol use from friends or family members
- Legal problems
- Financial problems
- Relationship problems
These are just some of the signs that you may have an issue with substance abuse. Some people will experience all of these things, while others may experience none of them. The important thing to remember is that alcoholism and addiction express themselves differently among different individuals, and these illnesses are sometimes difficult to diagnosis.
For instance, a person does not need to drink every day to be an alcoholic, they simply just need to have the obsession and compulsion that come along with alcoholism and addiction.
At the end of the day self-diagnosis and acceptance are key to overcoming these illnesses, so if you are still on the fence as to whether or not you have an issue with substance abuse, try out our addiction quiz and see where you stand.
Addiction Quiz
The following is a set of 20 questions that according to John Hopkins University indicates where you stand in regards to alcoholism or addiction. By answering the following questions with a yes or no answer, you can score yourself on whether or not you have an issue with alcoholism or addiction.
It is important to note that if you are even thinking that you may have a problem with drugs or alcohol, there is a fairly good chance that you may have an issue with substance abuse, so it is best to seek professional help.
Answer the following question with either yes or no.
- Have you missed time from work due to drug or alcohol usage?
- Are you experiencing home life issues due to drug or alcohol use?
- Have you used drugs or drank in order to deal with social anxiety?
- Have you experienced issues with your reputation due to alcohol or drug use?
- Have you ever felt guilty or remorseful after drinking or drug use?
- Have you experienced financial difficulties due to your drinking or drug use?
- Have you sought out individuals you would normally not associate with due to drug or alcohol usage?
- Have you engaged in reckless or careless activities due to drug or alcohol usage?
- Have you lost the ambition to participate in activities you once loved?
- When not drinking or using drugs do you crave them?
- Do you drink or use drugs in the morning?
- Do you have difficulty sleeping without the use of drugs or alcohol?
- Have you become less efficient due to drug or alcohol use?
- Has your drinking or drug usage affected your ability to work?
- Have you ever used drugs or drank in order to escape worry or unwanted emotions?
- Do you usually drink or use drugs alone?
- Have you ever experienced a blackout due to drug or alcohol use?
- Have you ever been treated for drug or alcohol abuse?
- Do you use or drink because of the self-confidence boost they give you?
- Have you ever been hospitalized or institutionalized due to drinking or drug use?
If you answered “yes” to 3 questions, you may have a drug or alcohol problem.
If you answered “yes” to 4-7 questions you may be in the early stages of alcoholism or addiction.
If you answered “yes” to 7-10 questions, you may be in the second stage of alcoholism or drug addiction.
If you answered “yes” to more than 10 questions, you may be in end-stage alcoholism or drug addiction.
