For some people, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a social drink now then with a few friends and on special occasions, but unfortunately for some people the joy of having a few drinks turns into a habit. Once it becomes a habit then it becomes a danger to one’s health and causes a negative impact on loved ones.
If you think your drinking has become a habit, and seriously want to do something about it, here are some questions you may want to ask yourself. This is a shortened list used by John Hopkins University Hospital, in Baltimore, Maryland to determine whether a patient is an alcoholic.
Are You Experiencing Alcoholic Tendencies? Ten Answers Will Tell
1. Do you drink to build up self-confidence?
2. Have you ever ended up in the hospital or jail on account of your drinking?
3. Do you need a drink in the morning?
4. Is drinking affecting your reputation?
5. Do you lose time from work due to drinking?
6. Is drinking jeopardizing your job or business?
7. Do you crave a drink at a definite time daily?
8. Have you ever felt remorse after drinking?
9. Have you gotten into financial difficulties as a result of drinking?
10. Do you drink to escape from worries or trouble?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you are being warned that you could be an alcoholic. The more ‘yes’ answers, the higher the risk, if you answered ‘yes’ to all, then you are definitely an alcoholic according to John Hopkins University Hospital. If you are an alcoholic, seeking help is nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s more embarrassing to end up in a psychiatric ward due to your drinking than it is to ask for help.
Being honest with yourself and conceding to your innermost self that you are an alcoholic is the first step in recovery (page 30, Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous). You’d be surprised to see how many people have sought help for their drinking and joined groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. That’s why you’d be surprised, they are Anonymous.