Self-Assessment: Take the “Am I an Alcoholic?” Quiz
If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering, Do I have a drinking problem? Or am I drinking too much? this quick self-assessment can help you gain clarity. It’s not a formal alcohol use disorder test, but it can give you a starting point to better understand your relationship with alcohol.
Take a moment to answer the following questions honestly:
The three levels of AUD can help one determine the severity of their disorder:
If you answered “yes” to two or more of these questions, it might be time to take a closer look at your drinking habits.
You don’t need to have all the answers right now—but recognizing the signs is a strong first step.
What Is Alcoholism vs. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?
You might hear the terms “alcoholism” and “alcohol use disorder” used interchangeably, but they don’t mean exactly the same thing.
Alcoholism is a more general, informal term that many people use to describe a serious problem with drinking—often when it starts to impact health, relationships, or day-to-day life.
While the term is widely recognized, it’s not used as a medical diagnosis.
Instead, professionals use the term alcohol use disorder (AUD).
This is the clinical diagnosis used by doctors and mental health providers, and it’s outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
AUD is defined by a pattern of problematic drinking that leads to significant distress or impairment. It potentially ranges from mild to moderate to severe, depending on how many criteria someone meets.
Some common symptoms of alcoholism—or, more accurately, symptoms of AUD—include strong cravings to drink, failed attempts to cut back, continued drinking despite consequences, and withdrawal symptoms when alcohol isn’t available.
Understanding the difference between casual use, problem drinking, and a diagnosable alcohol use disorder is key to knowing when it’s time to seek help—and it often starts with asking the right questions.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism
It’s not always easy to tell when drinking has become more than just a habit.
For many people, the shift happens gradually—what started as a way to unwind becomes something that’s harder and harder to control.
If you’re starting to wonder about your relationship with alcohol, recognizing the early signs of alcoholism can help you take an honest look at what’s going on.
Let’s break it down into a few categories to make things clearer:
Early Signs of Alcoholism
These are the quiet red flags—the ones that are easy to brush off at first but tend to grow over time.
- You find yourself thinking about drinking more often
- You’re drinking alone or in secret
- You need more alcohol to feel the same effects
- You’ve tried to cut back but keep falling into old patterns
- Hangovers are becoming a regular part of your week
These are some of the earliest signs of being an alcoholic, and while they might seem manageable now, they often point to deeper patterns forming beneath the surface.
Physical Signs
Alcohol doesn’t just affect your mind—it takes a toll on your body, too. Some of the more physical symptoms of alcoholism include:
- Shaking or tremors when you haven’t had a drink
- Nausea, sweating, or headaches not tied to other illnesses
- Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
- Noticeable weight gain or weight loss
- High blood pressure or other changes in overall health
Behavioral Patterns
This is where things often start to impact your daily life—and the lives of people around you.
- You miss work or cancel plans because of drinking or hangovers
- Your relationships are strained, but you keep drinking anyway
- You lie about how much you drink or get defensive when asked
- Drinking becomes your go-to coping mechanism
- You engage in risky behaviors like driving under the influence or mixing alcohol with medication.
These patterns are some of the more obvious markers of alcoholic behavior, and they’re often the ones that push people to finally ask: “Is this more serious than I thought?”
The truth is, if you see yourself in these signs—even just a few—it’s worth exploring what’s going on underneath. You don’t have to wait until things get worse to reach out for help.
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Risk Factors: Why Some People Develop a Drinking Problem
One of the hardest parts of struggling with alcohol is the feeling that you should have more control, but addiction doesn’t work that way. There are a lot of reasons why people develop alcohol use disorders, and it’s rarely just about willpower.
Understanding the risk factors for alcoholism can help explain why some people are more vulnerable than others.
Heavy Drinker vs. Alcoholic: What’s the Difference?
It’s a question a lot of people ask themselves: Am I drinking too much? The truth is, not everyone who drinks heavily is an alcoholic—but heavy drinking can absolutely be a warning sign that something deeper is going on.
Heavy drinking usually refers to the amount of alcohol consumed over time.
For men, that’s typically more than 14 drinks per week; for women, more than 7.
Binge drinking means consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short window—about 5 drinks in 2 hours for men, or 4 for women.
Here’s the key: The difference between a heavy drinker and an alcoholic isn’t just about how much you drink. It’s about how drinking affects your life.
If you can stop for a while and go back to normal without serious cravings, withdrawal, or emotional distress, you may fall into the category of heavy drinking.
If alcohol starts to control your decisions, affect your health or relationships, or feels impossible to cut back despite the consequences, those are red flags for alcohol use disorder.So if you’re asking, am I drinking too much?, you’re already being honest with yourself, and that’s the best place to start.
What to Do If You Think You’re an Alcoholic
Admitting there might be a problem takes a lot of courage. Many people wrestle with denial, shame, or fear about the label “alcoholic.” That said, labels don’t matter nearly as much as your quality of life.
If drinking is making your life harder, it’s okay to ask for help—and it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. In fact, recognizing the problem is one of the strongest things you can do.
At Tulip Hill Recovery, we offer compassionate, personalized treatment for alcoholism and help for alcohol addiction in a non-judgmental setting.
Whether you’re ready to quit today or just need to talk to someone about what’s been going on, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
You don’t have to hit rock bottom to make a change. If you’re wondering whether it’s time to reach out, that’s usually a sign it is.
Drinking is such a normal part of life for many people that it can be hard to tell when it crosses the line from casual to concerning.
Whether it’s happy hour after work, drinks at dinner, or celebrating the weekend, alcohol is everywhere—and that can make it difficult to recognize when your relationship with drinking may be unhealthy.
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, Am I an alcoholic?, you’re not alone.
That question is more common than you might think, and asking it could be the first step toward understanding your habits and getting the support you need.
This page includes a brief self-assessment—a kind of alcoholic quiz—designed to help you reflect honestly on your drinking and whether it may be time to seek help.
There’s no judgment here—just information, support, and a place to start.
FAQs About Alcoholism and Getting Help
Still have questions? You’re not alone. Here are a few of the most common things people ask when they’re trying to figure out if they might have a drinking problem.
What are the early signs of alcoholism?
Some of the early signs of alcoholism include drinking more often than intended, developing a higher tolerance, hiding or minimizing how much you drink, and feeling anxious or irritable when you’re not drinking.
You might also notice mood swings, frequent hangovers, or using alcohol to cope with stress. These signs can seem small at first, but they often point to a deeper issue.
Can I be an alcoholic and still have a job?
Yes. Many people with alcohol use disorder hold down jobs, go to school, or appear to function well on the outside. Even if things seem okay externally, alcohol may still be quietly affecting your health, relationships, or emotional well-being. “High-functioning” doesn’t mean healthy—or sustainable.
Do I have to drink every day to be an alcoholic?
Not at all. Alcoholism isn’t just about how often you drink—it’s about how drinking impacts your life. Some people binge drink occasionally but still struggle with alcoholic behavior, like being unable to stop once they start or continuing to drink despite serious consequences. If alcohol is starting to control your choices, it’s worth looking into.
Can alcoholism be treated?
Yes—treatment for alcoholism is not only possible but effective. With the right support, people can and do recover. At Tulip Hill Recovery, we offer evidence-based care that includes detox, therapy, and long-term planning so you can build a life that feels healthy, stable, and yours again. Help for alcohol addiction is always within reach—it just starts with reaching out.
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