If you are concerned about your relationship with alcohol, there are a few indicators that can help you pinpoint an underlying problem. Drinking is a social activity, so it can be challenging to determine if you’re drinking too much or for the wrong reasons. For people who are often exposed to environments where people are frequently drinking, it can be even more confusing to tell if your drinking is healthy.
In environments where unhealthy drinking is normalized, you may feel unclear about the severity of your drinking habits. Despite these confusing elements, assessing whether you have an alcohol addiction is relatively straightforward. By answering a few questions and speaking with your doctor, you can determine if professional help is needed.
Below, we’ll discuss how to assess your relationship with alcohol. Consider this as your brief guide to self-evaluation of alcohol addiction. Read on to learn more and to get an answer to the question, “am I an alcoholic?”
For a straight answer to “am i an alcoholic?” see your doctor.
While alcohol addiction is usually self-diagnosable, you should always get a doctor’s opinion. With that in mind, here are a few questions to ask yourself to evaluate whether you may have an alcohol addiction:
1. Do you experience a loss of control around alcohol?
To answer the question, “am i an alcoholic,” evaluate your self-control. Loss of control around alcohol may include drinking at inappropriate times and feeling that you can’t control how much you drink, how long you drink for, or how often you drink regularly.
2. Do you prioritize drinking over other things?
Answering, “am i an alcoholic?” requires insight into whether you place alcohol before other things in your life. Many people with alcohol addiction prioritize drinking over other things, even when they know these decisions have consequences. Alcohol may take priority over relationships, work, and other vital responsibilities.
3. Are you experiencing mental or physical side effects?
Excessive consumption of alcohol can cause a variety of physical and mental health effects. You may experience symptoms like tolerance (needing to drink more and more to achieve the same impact), withdrawal, or reliance on alcohol to prevent symptoms of withdrawal. If you’re asking yourself, “am i an alcoholic?” consider whether you’ve experienced any mental or physical effects.
Mental effects may include feelings of depression or apathy when not engaged in drinking. You may feel irritable, tired, or “on edge” around others when you’re not drinking. You may lose interest in activities that once brought you joy and find that alcohol is the biggest motivator in your life.
Talk to your doctor about the next steps.
If you can relate to any of the indications above, speak with your doctor for a professional diagnosis and an answer to, “am I an alcoholic?” Your doctor may diagnose and confirm your alcohol dependence or addiction and then refer you to a rehabilitation center or similar facility to begin the detox process. Peak with your doctor and get on a path to recovery.
