| The short quiz is commonly referred to as " | | | | - Do I ever need a drink or a couple of pills |
| The 20 Questions" and the original, developed | | | | to get rid of the "shakes?" |
| by researchers in the addiction field, has | | | | |
| been adjusted many times over the years to | | | | - Do chemical substances or alcohol help me |
| include all mood-altering substances and | | | | build confidence? |
| prescription medications. As a quick provider | | | | |
| in indicating areas of concern, it has proven | | | | If you answered "yes" to several of these |
| a valuable tool keyed to behavior among | | | | questions it may be time for you to take a |
| substance abusers and those who may be | | | | closer look at your drinking or use of mood |
| drinking too much alcohol. | | | | altering drugs. If you took the test for |
| | | | someone else you might want to confront that |
| If you or someone you know feels they may | | | | person now with your results. Those who did |
| have a problem with alcohol, drugs or | | | | answer "yes" should strongly consider |
| prescription pills we recommend answering the | | | | consulting with a treatment professional now. |
| following questions as honestly as you can! | | | | One doesn't jump to conclusions but this test |
| All that's needed is a simple "yes" or "no" | | | | will point out the proper direction to take. |
| and you'll gain a perspective on what you | | | | |
| should be doing to turn things around | | | | Many of us have wondered about "social |
| promptly . | | | | drinking" and others have pondered the |
| | | | "borders" of substance abuse. When does |
| - Have I been gulping drinks rather than | | | | alcohol or some other mood-altering substance |
| sipping them? | | | | become a concern and how can we tell if we're |
| | | | headed for trouble? The tests helps! When was |
| - When I'm under pressure do I drink or do | | | | " alcohol" first discovered and by whom? Has |
| drugs more than usual? | | | | alcoholism and addiction always been a |
| | | | problem among different societies? Why are |
| - Has drinking and substance abuse made me | | | | some groups more than others effected and why |
| more impulsive and less rational? | | | | do I drink differently than others. These |
| | | | doubts and recurring questions are more and |
| - Do I feel guilty about drinking and doing | | | | more troubling as dependency grows and |
| drugs? | | | | addiction to drugs and alcohol becomes a true |
| | | | fear. |
| - Have I lost time from work because of my | | | | |
| dependencies on alcohol and prescription | | | | The 20 Questions can help advance such a |
| meds? | | | | plan. Doubts accompany almost any intake of |
| | | | mood altering substances when capacity limits |
| - Has my drinking and drug use caused abusive | | | | have been exceeded. Excesses are actually |
| conduct at home with my spouse and children? | | | | symptomatic and recognized as markers where |
| | | | guilt begins and we ponder major changes in |
| - Do I continue drinking when companions have | | | | behavior with alcohol or prescription drug |
| stopped? | | | | intake. It's a point universally shared and |
| | | | may be most important for anyone interested |
| - Do I sneak drinks or pop pills before or | | | | in avoiding the consequences of alcoholism |
| during social events? | | | | and drug dependency. So how do we know if |
| | | | we've turned the corner on our drinking and |
| - Have I ever had an auto accident because of | | | | it's become an addiction? In the early days |
| drinking or substance abuse? | | | | of alcoholism and drug treatment therapists |
| | | | and counselors would say: "If you think you |
| - Do I forget things that happened when I | | | | have a problem with alcohol or drugs you |
| drink or use drugs? | | | | almost certainly do!" That would often |
| | | | suffice as a personal diagnosis and was |
| - If alcohol is not available at a social | | | | followed by a list of behaviors that usually |
| event am I uncomfortable? | | | | accompany frequent and obsessive bouts with |
| | | | alcohol. |
| - Am I harder to get along with after | | | | |
| drinking for a while? | | | | The next step requires honesty with ones |
| | | | self. Since denial is, however, a prime |
| - Do I still claim I can stop drinking and | | | | symptom of alcoholism and drug addiction that |
| doing drugs whenever I want? | | | | may not be as easy as it sounds. A clearer |
| | | | answer lies in the person's conduct. We can |
| - Do I crave a drink at any special time | | | | be sure we're headed for possible alcoholism |
| every day? | | | | and addiction if our consumption of any |
| | | | chemical substance has begun to adversely |
| - Do I ever need a drink first thing in the | | | | affect a major part of our life. |
| morning or a pill to get going? | | | | |
| | | | According to professionals in addiction and |
| - Did I ever hide a bottle or a "stash at | | | | alcoholism treatment there is another way of |
| home?" | | | | saying it: "An alcoholic or addict is a |
| | | | person who excessively and uncontrollably |
| - Do I prefer to drink alone so it's possible | | | | uses any substances to the point where it |
| to drink more? | | | | interferes with health, family or |
| | | | employment." We recommend you take the " 20 |
| - Have I lost a job because of my drug use or | | | | Questions " honestly and follow up with |
| drinking? | | | | action if the results you get indicate more |
| | | | problems ahead. |