It is our hope that with increased awareness, more and more people will get help with their alcohol problems. Please remember, this is a primary screening tool – a first step, if you like, and it is used to help reduce alcohol-related problems and risks. However, you can use your score to make decisions with your family physician or an addiction specialist about what you should do next, if that is required. A functional alcoholic is one of the most difficult types of alcoholics to spot as they do not fit many of these stereotypes. This can cause individuals to be in denial regarding their addiction. These individuals often have stable jobs, families, and are successful.

#7: Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms

Rather, you may use this tool as a benchmark for your drinking habits. Please consult your primary care physician for a proper diagnosis and full evaluation. For example, liver failure and cirrhosis are permanent complications of excessive alcohol use. Permanent health damage shouldn’t stop a person from seeking treatment, as it can still significantly improve an individual’s quality of life. Identifying and understanding problematic drinking early and receiving treatment can reverse many mental, emotional, and physical side effects of drinking. However, the damage from heavy alcohol use may be too severe at a certain point.

If you’re uncertain about your relationship with alcohol, an “Am I an Alcoholic? These assessments ask about your habits, emotional state, and any negative effects on your daily life. While not intended to diagnose, a quiz can highlight potential warning signs. Excessive alcohol consumption places a significant strain on both individuals and the broader community.

Am I an Alcoholic Quiz

If your partner is, or may be, pregnant, there is no known safe amount of alcohol to drink while pregnant. Most adults in the United States of legal drinking age (21 years and older) follow the recommended limits by not drinking or drinking in moderation. If this surprises you, keep in mind that we tend to spend time with people who drink similar amounts. If we answered YES to four or more questions, we were in deep trouble with our drinking.

Insurance may cover your care.

Alcohol also affects how the brain produces mood-enhancing chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine. Over time, the brain can develop a tolerance to alcohol meaning that more is required to produce the same level of pleasurable chemicals. This in turn can lead to alcohol dependence whereby the individual is unable to feel normal without alcohol.

Long-term health risks

However, certain conditions — for example, advanced cirrhosis — can result in permanent damage. Perhaps you’ve never been without a home, stolen to fund alcohol purchases, or received a DUI. You might have a steady job or a family life, so it’s easy to assume these responsibilities mean you can’t have an alcohol problem. But alcoholism and alcohol use disorder can manifest in many different ways.

Medication-assisted treatment is often most effective when combined with counseling and behavioral therapies. Chronic alcohol use can weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections like pneumonia and tuberculosis. Alcohol can disrupt immune pathways in complex ways, including reducing the number and function of certain immune cells.

Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental health or both, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. For those who need intensive, 24/7 support, inpatient treatment, also known as residential treatment, offers a structured environment where they can focus entirely on their recovery. Inpatient treatment involves staying at a treatment facility for an extended period, typically Substance abuse 30 to 90 days, though some programs may be longer or shorter depending on the individual’s needs. Alcohol is a potent substance that affects nearly every organ in the body, leading to a broad range of health complications. The impact of alcohol varies depending on the amount consumed, frequency of consumption, and individual susceptibility, but the effects are often cumulative and can become severe over time.

Addiction Treatment

No matter where you are in your recovery journey, our team will be there every step of the way. Alcoholism describes an individual who is severely dependent on alcohol to the extent that it causes them significant physical or mental health problems. Instead, the term alcohol dependence and alcohol use disorder are used by medical professionals. Alcohol addiction can be devastating to the life of the addict and their loved ones. Not only does an alcohol use disorder create social and relationship problems, but it also affects physical and mental health as well.

As a person drinks more, their body may require more alcohol to achieve the same effect. Additionally, a person living with AUD may experience blackouts (periods of Substance abuse memory loss) while drinking. The AUDIT test is a 10-item questionnaire that takes mere minutes to complete.

If you’re ready to take the next step toward healing and discover a place where you can thrive, reach out to us today. We’ve identified seven types of drinkers and one of them might describe you. This article discusses some of the self-tests that can help you determine if you might have a drinking problem.

Young adults account for 31% of alcohol addiction cases in the U.S. They tend to drink less frequently than other groups, but when they do consume alcohol, they are more likely to engage in binge drinking. Typically, they come from families where alcoholism is not common. In other words, someone who abuses alcohol may face serious consequences yet might not be physically dependent.

• One useful thing you can do is to take an “alcoholic test” or an “am I an alcoholic quiz” which are easily found online.
• Because of the potential dangers, medically supervised detox is often recommended for people with moderate-to-severe withdrawal risks.
• Individual therapy is often helpful for those who are interested in changing their drinking habits.
• Alcohol dependence, or AUD, is a multifaceted condition influenced by a variety of factors.
• Treating AUD sooner rather than later can mitigate long-term damage to physical, emotional and social health.

Only you can decide whether you want to give Alcoholics Anonymous a try—whether you think it can help you. I am a licensed social worker.In my scope of practice I have worked in the areas of mental health and recovery for thirty years. The clients I have worked with in my career have ranged in age from seven to seventy. Ohio Recovery Centers Health is a drug and alcohol rehab near Dayton, OH that offers personalized addiction treatment for alcohol, prescription medications, and illicit drugs. Some versions are in the form of a PDF, which can be printed and self-scored. There are also versions that can be filled out on the web page and which are automatically scored.