Which is why a severe case of alcohol use disorder may require specialized care. Cutting off alcohol in those with long-term or chronic consumption could lead to withdrawal and be fatal. Only a licensed mental health professional or trained medical doctor can give you a diagnosis and help you figure out the next best steps for you.

• About 50% of these individuals are from families with multigenerational alcoholism, and almost all have experienced clinical depression.
• Quitting alcohol suddenly can result in alcohol withdrawal symptoms that can range from mild to life-threatening.
• Over the age of 65, men drinking once per day (or more than seven drinks per week) make heavy drinkers.
• Understanding whether or not you could endure some of these risks begins by taking the “Am I an Alcoholic?

AUDIT Alcohol Assessment Quiz

Explore a variety of health care news & stories by visiting the Health Lab home page for more articles. Some patients may need a prescription medication (naltrexone, acamprosate or disulfiram) that helps reduce alcohol dependence. Keep in mind that the results may not be as accurate am i an alcoholic because they’re based on your perception of them and not their direct personal experience.

What is Alcohol Use Disorder?

Ideally, we recommend you reach out to your primary care provider or UCS Healthcare to get started. If you answered yes to six or more questions, you may have a severe alcohol use disorder. Those with severe addictions have developed serious health problems, such as heart or liver problems, from their drinking. They still experience tolerance and withdrawal despite frequent binge drinking. If you feel that you need a drink every night to unwind or cope with stress, and you experience cravings or a compulsion to drink daily, this behavior could indicate a developing alcohol dependency. Regularly drinking in this manner warrants a closer look at your relationship with alcohol and it may be time to consider getting help for your drinking habits.

Getting Help For Alcoholism

Altogether, a first-time DUI offense could potentially cost an individual anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000 when all is said and done.

I Drink Every Night: Am I an Alcoholic?

Because denial is common, you may feel like you don’t have a problem with drinking. You might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are related to alcohol use. Listen to relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help. Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped.

• The primary difference between the MAST and AUDIT test is the length.
• A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life-threatening coma or death.
• In addition to using a self-assessment, it can be helpful to understand some of the other signs that might indicate a drinking problem.
• Feelings of increased stress, boredom and disappointment over this time have contributed to an increase in alcohol use.
• It can have serious effects on the heart, kidneys, lungs, and pancreas and can cause high blood pressure.

When the Stereotype Doesn’t Fit: Types of Alcoholics

Consider seeking professional assistance if you answered yes to two or more questions. Some people with mild symptoms can cut back or quit on their own, but others may need medical treatment and support to achieve long-term sobriety. If you find yourself regularly thinking about your next drink, or if you’ve tried to cut back on drinking and never quite succeeded, you may have an alcohol addiction. Alcohol misuse can impact every aspect of your life in ways you may not expect. If you are ready to discuss treatment, our admissions navigators are available 24/7 to speak with you today. To calculate how much money you spend on alcohol, online tools such as an alcohol spending calculator can be helpful in seeing how much you could potentially be saving by quitting drinking.