This is a great question. In hindsight, the moment I began to wonder if I had an alcohol or substance use disorder was an indication that I definitely had one. People who are in complete control of their addiction, don’t wonder if they are or not.
Johns Hopkins has a questionnaire to determine whether or not someone has an alcohol addiction. The same questions can be applied toward drug use (prescription or illicit).
This questionnaire may prove to be helpful, but be careful. Don’t disqualify yourself to soon. Sometimes we are not capable of truly being honest with ourselves. I’ve seen many people who desperately wanted to believe they didn’t have a problem, only to either lose everything, die, or get locked up (jail, prison or institutions). Please reach out before it’s too late. You can contact me here or email me at info@proathletesinrecovery.org and I will respond personally.
JOHNS HOPKINS QUESTIONNAIRE
Do You Have An Alcohol Use Disorder?
This test was developed by Dr. Robert Seliger of Johns Hopkins in the 1930s to help people self-assess whether or not they have a drinking problem. This is not a professional screening tool, nor has it been validated and judged reliable. It is, however, a useful tool to help determine if your alcohol use is becoming problematic. Ask yourself the following questions, and answer them as honestly as you can.
1. Do you lose time from work due to drinking?
Yes_____ No_____
2. Is drinking making your home life unhappy?
Yes_____ No_____
3. Do you drink because you are shy with other people?
Yes_____ No_____
4. Is drinking affecting your reputation?
Yes_____ No_____
5. Have you ever felt remorse after drinking?
Yes_____ No_____
6. Have you gotten into financial difficulties as a result of drinking?
Yes_____ No_____
7. Do you turn to lower companions/inferior environments when drinking?
Yes_____ No_____
8. Does your drinking make you careless of your family’s welfare?
Yes_____ No_____
9. Has your ambition decreased since you started drinking?
Yes_____ No_____
10. Do you crave a drink at a definite time daily?
Yes_____ No_____
11. Do you want a drink the next morning?
Yes_____ No_____
12. Does drinking cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
Yes_____ No_____
13. Has your efficiency decreased since you started drinking?
Yes_____ No_____
14. Is drinking jeopardizing your job or business?
Yes_____ No_____
15. Do you drink to escape from worries or trouble?
Yes_____ No_____
16. Do you drink alone?
Yes_____ No_____
17. Have you ever had a loss of memory (blackout) as a result of drinking?
Yes_____ No_____
18. Has your physician ever treated you for drinking?
Yes_____ No_____
19. Do you drink to build up your self-confidence?
Yes_____ No_____
20. Have you ever been to a hospital or institution on account of drinking?
Yes_____ No_____
If you answered YES to any one of the questions, this indicates you MAY have a problem with alcohol or a substance use disorder.
If you answered YES to any two, CHANCES are you have a problem with alcohol or a substance use disorder.
If you answered YES to three or more, you should seek additional evaluation of your use of alcohol or substance use disorder.