Here is a self evaluation to see if you could be an alcoholic. There are no trick questions, and this test has been used for many years to help people get an understanding of their drinking habits and whether or not they have a problem.

Taking this test helped us to finally admit we had a problem with alcohol.

Yes or No:

1. Do you lose time from work due to drinking?

2. Is drinking making your home life unhappy?

3. Do you drink because you are shy with other people?

4. Is drinking affecting your reputation?

5. Have you ever felt remorse after drinking?

6. Have you had financial difficulties as a result of your drinking?

7. Do you turn to inferior companions and environments when drinking?

8. Does your drinking make you careless of your family's welfare?

9. Has your ambition decreased since you began drinking?

10. Do you crave a drink at a definite time daily?

11. Do you want a drink the next morning?

12. Does drinking cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?

13. Has your efficiency decreased since you began drinking?

14. Is drinking jeopardizing your job or business?

15. Do you drink to escape from worries or troubles?

16. Do you drink alone?

17. Have you ever had a loss of memory as a result of drinking?

18. Has your physician ever treated you for drinking?

19. Do you drink to build up your self-confidence?

20. Have you ever been to a hospital or institution as a result of your drinking?

(A 20 question test from the most prestigious health care facility in the world--Johns Hopkins Hospital)

Results: If you answered "yes" to any one of these questions, you may have a problem with alcohol. If you answered "yes" to any two of these questions, chances are that you are an alcoholic. If you answered "yes" to three or more of these questions, you are definitely an alcoholic.

Here are some additional questions that answering honestly will give you more insight into whether or not you are an alcoholic:

• Have you ever decided to stop drinking for a week, month, etc., but have only lasted one or two days?

• Do you resent people questioning your drinking habits and wish they would "mind their own business"?

• Have you ever tried switching from one type of drink to another in an attempt to control your drinking (like only drinking beer instead of the hard stuff?)

• Do you look at people as having an advantage if they can drink without getting into trouble?

• Do you ever drink before you go to a party, or have extra drinks at the party to make sure you get enough?

• Do you have "blackouts"? (A blackout is when you have been drinking and can't remember what happened or what you did while you were drinking.)

• Do you think your life would be better if you did not drink?

• Are you ashamed of your drinking?

• Do you constantly think about quitting drinking even when you are drinking?

"Yes" answers to any of these questions are also indications that you do have a problem with alcohol and may be an alcoholic.

Remember, only we can decide if we are alcoholics. No one else can make this decision for us. It took us a long time to admit we were powerless over alcohol, but it was the best decision we ever made! Take Your Life Back!