Am I Addicted to Alcohol?
1. Only a trained addiction professional can diagnose you with an alcohol use disorder (AUD). To be diagnosed with AUD, individuals must meet any two of the below criteria within the same 12-month period:
2. Using alcohol in higher amounts or for a longer time than originally intended.
3. Cravings, or a strong desire to use alcohol.
4. Continuing to abuse alcohol despite the presence of a psychological or physical problem that is probably due to alcohol use.
5. Being unable to cut down on alcohol use despite a desire to do so.
6. Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, and recovering from the effects of alcohol.
7. Continuing to abuse alcohol despite negative interpersonal or social problems that are likely due to alcohol use.
8. Giving up previously enjoyed social, occupational, or recreational activities because of alcohol use.
9. Being unable to fulfill major obligations at Home, work, or school because of alcohol use.
10. Using alcohol in physically dangerous situations (such as driving or operating machinery).
11. Having a tolerance (i.e. needing to drink increasingly large or more frequent amounts of alcohol to achieve desired effect).
12. Developing symptoms of withdrawal when efforts are made to stop using alcohol.
Any of these may be cause for concern.