Alcohol Problem Self-Screening Questionnaire

An alcohol problem self-screening such as the one below can be especially helpful if you have been wondering whether or not you might have a problem with alcohol use or if someone has told you that they think you do.

Getting this one right is central to even being able to build better relationships.

If you have even the slightest question about having an alcohol problem, self-screening is a simple and private way to start looking into it. But, be advised: our ability to deny and cover up alcohol problems even (especially?) to ourselves is awesome. No matter what the self-screening suggests, if people around you are questioning your drinking, talk to a professional about it.

CAGE Questions

The following questions are called the CAGE Questions, from the memory aid composed of first letters of important words in each question.

Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking?

Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?

Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking?

Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover (Eye opener)?

IF you responded YES to any of the CAGE questions, did the incident(s) happened during the past year?

Alcohol Consumption

Do you drink the amount of alcohol listed below for your gender and age group?:

For adult males less than 65 years old: 14 or more drinks per week, or 5 or more drinks during any given day

For all adult females and males 65 years or older: 7 or more drinks per week, or 4 or more drinks during any given day

If you answered yes to one of these questions or if one or more responses to the CAGE questions referring to the past year were positive, it is very likely that you would benefit from looking more deeply into the matter of your drinking and its effects on you and those around you.

ACTION STEPS

An alcohol problem self-screening is a big step, but it is just a first step.

If you did answer "yes" to one or more of the questions, you would do well to seek professional assessment of your drinking habits and to begin looking into treatment options and/or self-help options for alcohol problems.

Pick one that looks like it fits you best. An approach that is "the best" or was recommended by someone you know, may or may not feel right to you. Give yourself the best chance of getting a good outcome by making your own choice if possible.

Then DO SOMETHING! Doing the alcohol problem self-screening what the first step. Now take another one. Make a telephone call. Go to a website and read the whole thing. Get a schedule of local self-help meetings. Read a book.

As Robert Ringer says in his book title, "Action: Nothing Happens Until Something Moves."

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