Alcohol and Alcoholism Test

Drug stores routinely carry commercial self-administered or home drug tests. Among these tests, a person can find a few that can test the levels of alcohol present in a person’s body. These tests are useful for measuring current intoxication levels, however they do not test for alcoholism.

Over the years researchers have developed a series of tests (questions) that will reveal the likelihood of an alcohol problem. These basic profile questions are based upon thousands of people who answered the questions. They are fairly accurate indicators of an alcohol problem and alcohol abuse. Remember with alcoholism it is not necessarily the amount of alcohol you consume, rather the consequences experienced when you drink and how those consequences impact your life.

Ask yourself these simple questions to determine if there is a drinking problem. These simple questions are known as the CAGE self- test and have been found to be revealing. Honesty is the first step in helping yourself.

1. Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?               Y   N
2. Have you been annoyed by people commenting on your drinking? Y   N
3. Have you had bad feelings or guilt about your drinking?                   Y   N
4. Have you ever had a drink in the morning to get you going?             Y   N