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Do I have a drinking problem?
In the final stages of Alcoholism, even a
ten year old child can recognize alcoholism. In earlier
stages it is more difficult. We recognize the disease by
its effects on a drinkers life, and the way we find out
about its? negative impact is to ask questions. The
National Institute of Health through studies, show that
paper and pencil test are much more consistent and
accurate than even the most sophisticated lab test
available. A lab test can only determine alcoholism in
about fifty percent of the cases whereas a simple
questionnaire is accurate 80 to 90 percent of the time
and can determine the early stages of the disease. In
the American Journal of Psychiatry 131 (1974) a little
questionnaire was published by D. Mayfield MD which
pretty much changed the way we identify alcoholism and
it is correct in more than 85 percent of people who take
this simple test. This was called the CAGE test and it
stood for;
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Have you ever tried to Cut
down on your drinking? |
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Do you get Angry when people
discuss your drinking? |
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Do you feel Guilty
about things you have done while drinking? |
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Do you ever have an
Eye-opener (take a drink to get rid of a
hangover or to start the day)? |
Four simple questions, but answer yes
to any one of them and you need to seek help. The
biggest part of the problem is going to be denial. The
addiction of the brain, unlike a heart attack or stomach
pains or even infected lungs, will not tell you that it
is hurting. The denial is created by the brain to
protect its access to alcohol which it perceives as
being the solution to the problem, not the problem. So
the brain in essence is doing what its suppose to do by
thinking it is on the pathway of smart health avoiding
the pain not knowing the cure is causing the problem.
Still not convinced? Let's take one
more test and see.
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Can you handle more alcohol
now than you first started to drink? |
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Do you sometimes feel a
little guilty about your drinking? |
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Has a family member or close
friend ever expressed concern or complained
about your drinking? |
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Have you tried switching
brands or drinks, or following different plans
to control your drinking? |
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Have you ever had a Driving
while under the Influence traffic ticket or any
legal problem related to your drinking? |
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Are you having more
financial, work, school, and/or family problems
as a result of your drinking? |
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Have you recently noticed
that you can't drink as much as you used to? |
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Do you ever feel depressed or
anxious before, during, or after periods of
heavy drinking? |
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Have any of your blood
relatives had a problem with alcohol? |
(According to the National Council on Alcohol, if you
answer yes to any one question you are at great risk for
alcoholism and answer more than one and you need to seek
treatment).
Still not convinced you have a drinking problem? The
final test is brought to us by John Hopkins University
and their Medical School. If you don't believe the
results of this one, then we need to send people for you
wearing little white jackets. This one is so accurate it
goes off the charts. If you fail to recognize this one
you are in total denial and you need to seek help
immediately.
| 1. |
Do you lose time from
work due to drinking? |
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Is drinking making your home
life unhappy? |
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Do you drink because you are
shy with other people? |
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Is drinking effecting your
reputation? |
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Have you ever felt remorse
after drinking? |
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Have you ever gotten into
financial difficulties as a result of your
drinking? |
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Do you turn to lower
companions and an inferior environment when
drinking? |
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Does your drinking make you
careless of your family's welfare? |
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Has your ambition decreased
since drinking? |
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Do you crave a drink at a
definite time daily? |
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Do you want a drink the next
morning? |
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Does your drinking cause you
to have difficulties in sleeping? |
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Has your efficiency decreased
since drinking? |
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Is your drinking jeopardizing
your job or business? |
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Do you drink to escape from
worries or troubles? |
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Do you drink alone? |
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Have you ever had a complete
loss of memory? |
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Has your physician ever
treated you for drinking? |
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Do you drink to build your
self confidence? |
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Have you ever been in a
hospital or institution on account of drinking? |
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Scoring: Three yes answers indicates a
probable drinking problem. Four to Seven indicates early
stage of alcoholism, seven to ten yes answers indicates
middle stage alcoholism; and more than ten yes answers
indicates a late stage alcoholism. More than ten
indicates total intervention is necessary to save your
life.
If you scored more than four, please read the section on
Intervention and FAQ. This may be the most important
thing you do to save your life or someone you love.
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