Researchers have developed a quiz containing 20 questions on addiction to help guide substance abusers towards recovery. The quiz provides a snapshot that indicates areas of concern and has proven to be a valuable tool for recovering addicts.
If you or someone you know feels they may have a problem with alcohol, drugs or prescription pills, we recommend answering the following questions. These answers will help you gain perspective on what you should be doing to turn things around immediately.
20 Questions for You to Ask Yourself:
- Have I been gulping drinks rather than sipping them?
- When I'm under pressure do I drink or do drugs more than usual?
- Has drinking and substance abuse made me more impulsive and less rational?
- Do I feel guilty about drinking and doing drugs?
- Have I lost time from work because of my dependencies on alcohol and prescription meds?
- Has my drinking and drug use caused abusive conduct at home with my spouse and children?
- Do I continue drinking when companions have stopped?
- Do I sneak drinks or pop pills before or during social events?
- Have I ever had an auto accident because of drinking or substance abuse?
- Do I forget things that happened when I drink or use drugs?
- If alcohol is not available at a social event am I uncomfortable?
- Am I harder to get along with after drinking for a while?
- Do I still claim I can stop drinking or doing drugs whenever I want?
- Do I crave a drink at any special time every day?
- Do I ever need a drink first thing in the morning or a pill to get going?
- Did I ever hide a bottle or a “stash" at home?
- Do I prefer to drink alone so it's possible to drink more?
- Have I lost a job because of my drug use or drinking?
- Do I ever need a drink or a couple of pills to get rid of the “shakes"?
- Do chemical substances or alcohol help me build confidence?
Interpreting Your Quiz Results
If you answered “yes” to several of these questions, it's time to take a closer look at your substance abuse. If you took the quiz for someone else, you might want to share your results with that person. Those who did answer “yes” to a few questions should strongly consider consulting with a treatment professional now. One doesn't necessarily have to jump to conclusions based on the quiz results. However, the quiz will certainly help point out the proper direction to take.
Using the Quiz to Spot Problems and Change Direction
Many of us have wondered about “social drinking” and others have pondered the “borders” of substance abuse. When does substance abuse become a concern, and how can we tell if we're headed for trouble? The quiz will certainly help.
The 20 Questions Quiz can help advance a plan to take action and move in a healthier direction. Doubts accompany almost any intake of mood altering substances. You may wonder when your capacity limits have been exceeded. Any excessive use is usually symptomatic and recognized as a marker of a problem. You may experience guilt over your addiction and feel overwhelmed when pondering major changes in your behavior when using.
So, how do you know if you've turned the corner in your drinking and it's become an addiction? There was a time when addiction treatment therapists and counselors would say: “If you think you have a problem with alcohol or drugs, you almost certainly do!” That would often suffice as a personal diagnosis. Also, addiction counselors might ask if you've committed a few of the behaviors that typically accompany substance abuse. Nowadays, this quiz can help you determine if you have an addiction that needs to be addressed.
Taking the Next Step
The next step requires honesty with yourself. But, since denial is a prime symptom of addiction, honesty may not be as easy as it sounds. A clearer answer lies in your conduct. You are surely headed for addiction if your consumption of any chemical substance has begun to adversely affect your life. The 20 question quiz will give you an honest view of your situation, as well as tips for recovery.
If you or someone you know is seeking help from addiction, please visit our directory of treatment centers or call 800-772-8219 to start the path to recovery today.
