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