Alcohol Self-Assessment

Defining Chemical Dependency
Identifying a Drinking Problem

Use this confidential alcohol screening tool to learn more:

How Much is Too Much?

Defining Problem Drinking/Abuse

The disease of alcoholism is characterized by periodic or continuous preoccuption with alcohol and impaired control over drinking. When problem drinkers drink, they cannot always predict when they will stop, how much they will drink, or what the consequences will be. Their thinking becomes distorted, and they may continue to drink even after it causes personal, family, or school problems.

Chemical Dependency is nothing to be ashamed of especially because it has been known to be hereditary. Forty percent of alcoholism is caused by genetic factors, while the remaining 60% is attributed to unknown causes. This means that if we separated identical twins at birth, and reared them in different conditions, if one twin abuses alcohol, there is a 40% chance that the other twin will also. If someone in your family had, or has, a drinking problem, you are at a 40% risk of acquiring the problem as well.

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Identifying a Drinking Problem

• Drink for the purpose of getting drunk
• Drink until you pass out
• Drink before class, driving, or other inappropriate times
• Become violent (e.g. yelling, fighting)
• Experience blackouts or memory loss
• Are not doing well in school (not studying, missing classes, etc.) because of drinking
• Have a family history of chemical depedancy.
  

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