Do you often use Alcohol in larger amounts or over a longer period of time than you intended?
Have you for a while now wanted to cut back on Alcohol or made unsuccessful attempts to do so?
Do you spend a great deal of time finding, using, or recovering from Alcohol?
Do you have strong urges or powerful cravings to use Alcohol?
Has your use of Alcohol resulted in your inability to meet your obligations at work, home, or school?
Have you had to cut back on or abandon social, professional, or recreational activities due to your use of Alcohol?
Have you repeatedly used Alcohol when it was hazardous to do so, such as while driving a car or operating machinery?
Have you experienced social or relationship problems due to your use of Alcohol and kept using anyway?
Have you kept using Alcohol knowing that it has caused or worsened physical or mental health issues?
When you attempt to cut back on or stop your use of Alcohol, have you experienced uncomfortable physical or mental health symptoms (withdrawal)?
Have you experienced diminished effects when you use Alcohol compared to the past and/or have you needed more Alcohol to feel the effects you’re seeking (tolerance)?
Am I Drinking Too Much Alcohol?
Results
According to your answers, you may already meet 11 of the criteria for substance use disorder. The DSM-5 provides thresholds for substance use severity based on the number of criteria met within a 12-month period:
Mild: Presence of 2-3 symptoms.
Moderate: Presence of 4-5 symptoms.
Severe: Presence of 6 or more symptoms.
You may already be experiencing issues related to compulsive Alcohol use and may benefit from speaking more about this possibility with a doctor or other healthcare provider.