Am I An Alcoholic? Take Our 10-Question Quiz to Find Out!

Individuals in the intermediate familial subtype are, on average, age 38 and are usually employed. About 50% of these individuals are from families with multigenerational alcoholism, and almost all have experienced clinical depression. Likewise, those affected by another person’s alcohol use disorder might seek individual or family counseling, Fernandez says.

Alcohol Use Disorder Categories: The 5 Kinds of Alcoholism

• Over the next few weeks, I’ll do an article and video on each of these questions, but for now I just wanted introduce them.
• By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism.
• If you see them in your life (or someone else’s), get treatment for the alcohol use disorder by talking to a professional.
• It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
• Keep in mind that these informal assessments demand that you be rigorously honest with yourself.
• MAST is a 25-item evaluation that can be cumbersome for first responders in a hospital or family members in a home setting.

They began drinking at a young age and have dependencies or addictions to other substances. Usually, they also endure psychiatric or mental health disorders that make treatment particularly necessary. Seventy-five percent of them have a family history with alcohol as well. If you feel that you sometimes drink too much alcohol, or your drinking is causing problems, or if your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your health care provider. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health professional or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group. New research suggests the risks of even moderate or light drinking may outweigh the benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

It will not guarantee that you may be diagnosed with alcohol use disorder. This free, medically-reviewed alcohol use test is meant for anyone who thinks they may benefit from an evaluation for alcohol use disorder. The condition can vary in intensity — mild, moderate, or severe — and depend on the number of symptoms met.

One pill can kill: Understanding the risks of fentanyl

Of the five subtypes, they rate highest for other psychiatric disorders and abuse of other substances. Roughly 80% are from families that struggle with multigenerational alcoholism. Whether you’re the loved one of someone struggling with alcohol addiction, or you yourself are struggling, it’s important to be aware of these signs and to know that you’re not alone. Thousands of people from all walks of life battle alcoholism every day, and thousands make the decision to seek help. Other treatment options include counseling and 12-step support groups. At U-M’s addiction treatment center, an offering known as the Discovery Group targets people who may or may not feel they have a substance use problem and are unsure whether they want to change.

A compassionate approach is saving lives and rebuilding hope

Treatment programs and online alcohol rehab are available if you are facing an alcohol problem. We transform lives through bold discovery, compassionate care and innovative education. “There’s no quantity or frequency of alcohol included in the definition,” says Anne Fernandez, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist for University of Michigan Addiction Treatment Services. When it comes to identifying whether someone has a drinking problem, the process is fluid. Doctors consider multiple factors when gauging a patient’s alcohol issues and advising treatment. While we are unable to respond to your feedback directly, we’ll use this information to improve our online help.

Mental health champion: A mission inspired by personal loss

• In June, the World Health Organization said that no level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health.
• It’s about 10 drinks or glasses of wine for women as a good rule of thumb.
• One of the signs that there might be a problematic relationship with consuming alcohol is when it’s a habit that’s hard to break.
• Alcohol use disorders can impact anyone, and alcohol addiction can look very different from person to person, which can make it difficult to notice the signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction.

Alcoholics are severely dependent on alcohol to manage their moods and give them a sense of ease. Excessive alcohol consumption and, sometimes, a physical compulsion to drink are also important factors that healthcare providers note when making diagnoses and alcohol treatment decisions. Those who experience AUD often endure mental health and physical problems due to the health risks they take while drinking. But, the term “alcoholic” is not recognized by medical professionals and treatment specialists in the clinical practice of treating alcohol abuse as a substance use disorder (SUD). We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed am i an alcoholic by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

• That’s because, if you are still craving and obsessing over alcohol after you drained the evening’s last glass, you might have a deeper problem.
• If you have one drink per night, but its alcohol concentration or size is significantly bigger than the standard, your alcohol intake may be higher than you think.
• New research suggests the risks of even moderate or light drinking may outweigh the benefits.
• First, in the awareness stage, you won’t change your drinking habits for at least two weeks; just record each time you consume alcohol.