The primary signs of problem drinking are: Having health, legal, social, academic or financial problems as a result of drinking. For example, missing class or work because of drinking or hangovers, not be able to have fun or express oneself without drinking, fights or problems with roommates or significant others, spending excessive amounts of money on alcohol, blackouts/passing out, trips to the ER, being defensive when someone mentions your drinking, needing to drink more to achieve the same effects (tolerance), frequently drinking with the primary purpose of getting drunk, and/or repeatedly driving under the influence. These are only guidelines and each case is different. If you're concerned about your drinking or a friend's drinking, get more information!

Screening for Alcohol Dependence

Screening tools are available to assist counselors and therapists with diagnosing alcohol abuse and dependence such as the SMAST below.

Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST)

1. Do you feel you are a normal drinker? (By normal we mean you drink less than or as much as most other people.)

2. Does your wife, husband, a parent, or other near relative ever worry or complain about your drinking?

3. Do you ever feel guilty about your drinking?

4. Do friends or relatives think you are a normal drinker?

5. Are you able to stop drinking when you want to?

6. Have you ever attended a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous?

7. Has drinking ever created problems between you and your wife, husband, a parent, or other near relative?

8. Have you ever gotten into trouble at work because of drinking?

9. Have you ever neglected your obligations, your family, or your work for two of more days in a row because you were drinking?

10. Have you ever gone to anyone for help about your drinking?

11. Have you ever been in a hospital because of drinking?

12. Have you ever been arrested for drunken driving, driving while intoxicated, or driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages?

13. Have you ever been arrested, even for a few hours, because of other drunken behavior?

Individuals that answer – Yes to three or more questions indicate probable alcoholism, two yes answers indicate probable alcoholism, and fewer than two yes answers indicate that alcoholism is not likely (Selzer, M., Winokur, A. & Van Rooijen, C.; 1975).

Note: If after reading the above, you started rationalizing to yourself, “Well, I can stop drinking anytime I want to, but I usually stop when I run out of money.” (As my old graduate professor use to say) STOP BULL-SH#%ting yourself and go see a certified alcohol counselor.

Co-morbidity & Alcohol Dependence