Part I. Do You Have a Problem with Alcohol?

To determine if you may have a drinking problem, complete the following two screening tests.

A. CAGE Screening Test

Select Yes or No to the following questions:

Have you ever felt you should. . . . . Cut down on your drinking?
Have people. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
Have you ever felt bad or. . . . . . . . . Guilty about your drinking?
Have you ever had an. . . . . . . . . . . . Eye-opener (a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover)?

One "Yes" response suggests a possible alcohol problem. If you answered yes to more than one question, it is highly likely that a problem exists. In either case, it is important that you see your physician or other health care provider right away to discuss your responses to these questions.

B. AUDIT Screening Test

For each question, select the answer that best describes your behavior.

Questions   Your Score
1. How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
Never
Monthly or less
2-4 times a month
2-3 times a week
4 or more times a week
2. How many drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking?
1 or 2
3 or 4
5 or 6
7 to 9
10 or more
3. How often do you have 6 or more drinks on one occasion?
Never
Less than monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
4. How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?
Never
Less than monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
5. How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected because of drinking?
Never
Less than monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
6. How often during the last year have you needed a first drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?
Never
Less than monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
7. How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?
Never
Less than monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
8. How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because you had been drinking?
Never
Less than monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
9. Have you or has someone else been injured as a result of your drinking?
No
Yes, but not in the last year
Yes, during the last year
10. Has a relative, friend, doctor, or other health worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down?
No
Yes, but not in the last year
Yes, during the last year
Total

A total score of 8 or more indicates a strong likelihood of hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption. Even if you answered no to all four items in the CAGE screening test and scored below 8 on the AUDIT screening test, if you are encountering drinking-related problems with your academic performance, job, relationships, or health, or with the law, you should consider seeking help.


Part II. Are You Troubled by Someone Else's Drinking?

Millions of people are affected by the excessive drinking of someone close to them. The following checklist was created by Al-Anon to help people determine whether they are adversely affected by someone else's drinking. Check any statement that is true for you.

1. Do you worry about how much someone else drinks?
2. Do you have money problems because of someone else's drinking?
3. Do you tell lies to cover up for someone else's drinking?
4. Do you feel that if the drinker loved you, he or she would stop drinking to please you?
5. Do you blame the drinker's behavior on his or her companions?
6. Are plans frequently upset or canceled or meals delayed because of the drinker?
7. Do you make threats, such as, "If you don't stop drinking, I'll leave you"?
8. Do you secretly try to smell the drinker's breath?
9. Are you afraid to upset someone for fear it will set off a drinking bout?
10. Have you been hurt or embarrassed by a drinker's behavior?
11. Are holidays and gatherings spoiled because of drinking?
12. Have you considered calling the police for help in fear of abuse?
13. Do you search for hidden alcohol?
14. Do you often ride in a car with a driver who has been drinking?
15. Have you refused social invitations out of fear or anxiety?
16. Do you feel like a failure because you can't control the drinker?
17. Do you think that if the drinker stopped drinking, your other problems would be solved?
18. Do you ever threaten to hurt yourself to scare the drinker?
19. Do you feel angry, confused, or depressed most of the time?
20. Do you feel there is no one who understands your problems?

If you answered yes to three or more of these questions, Al-Anon or Alateen may be able to help: Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., 1600 Corporate Landing Parkway, Virginia Beach, VA 23454-5617; 800-344-2666; http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/.

SOURCES: Part I: A. CAGE test: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 1996. Alcoholism: Getting the Facts. NIH Publication No. 96-4153. B. AUDIT test: Saunders, J. B., et al. 1993. Development of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT): WHO collaborative project on early detection of persons with harmful alcohol consumption--II. Addiction 88: 791-804, June. Reprinted with permission from Carfax Publishing, a division of Taylor & Francis Ltd. http://www.tandf.co.uk./ PART II: Are You Troubled By Someone's Drinking? (http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/quiz.html) Copyright © 1980, revised 2003 by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.