Contemplating whether or not you have a problem with drinking may be an indicator that there is a problem. A person’s awareness of how alcohol is negatively impacting their life is going to be a great asset on their journey towards recovery and health. Below is a list of some indicators for having a problem with alcohol. If you identify with more than two of these items within a twelve-month span, you may have a problematic pattern of alcohol consumption.

• Drinking greater amounts of alcohol than you intended OR drink over a longer period than you planned on.
• Persistent desire to cut down or control drinking OR have been unsuccessful in attempts to cut down or control drinking.
• Spend a lot of time in activities in order to obtain alcohol, use alcohol or recover from the effects of alcohol.
• Experience cravings, strong desire, or urge to use alcohol
• Repeated alcohol use causing failure to follow through with major role obligations at work, school or home.
• Continue to drink despite social or interpersonal issues caused by drinking, OR made worse by the effects of alcohol.
• Avoid or no longer engage in important occupational, recreational or social activities because of your drinking.
• Consume alcohol in places or situations that are physically hazardous.
• Continue to drink even after knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that was either caused OR made worse by alcohol.
• Have developed a tolerance to alcohol:
  • You drink more in order to achieve desired effects of alcohol OR you drink in order to avoid experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
• Have experienced withdrawal symptoms (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)

Michelle Hill, MFTI
(949) 359-1353
Marriage and Family Therapist Intern IMF 91401
Registered Addiction Treatment Counselor 7919-R
Supervised By: Glenn E. McClellan, Ph.D. License # psy 14169

Reference:

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5^th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.