Alcohol is legal in Australia and has become an integral part of our lives in many sectors of society. Some of the following questions may challenge your ideas about what is “normal” and what is “healthy”.
 
As you read each of the following statements, take your time, think about it, then click on button if it applies to you. Only you will be seeing this list so it is an opportunity to be completely honest with yourself. To minimise or deny behaviours or consequences is one of the symptoms of alcoholism.
 

Sometimes I miss work as a result of my drinking.
Sometimes I fight with my partner because of my drinking.
Sometimes I drink to feel more confident or because I feel shy.
My reputation has suffered at times because of my behaviour when drinking.
Drinking has caused me financial difficulties at times.
Sometimes I have done things that I am ashamed of in order to get money for alcohol.
Sometimes I find that I am spending time in bad environments, and with people I don’t really like, when I drink.
I neglect my family or am careless of them when I am drinking.
My plans for the future and ambitions are not as important as they used to be.
I sometimes crave a drink in the morning or at a particular time of day.
Sometimes I have difficulty sleeping because of my drinking.
I am not achieving as much as in the past and am less efficient as a result of my drinking.
My drinking is impacting my job or business.
I sometimes drink alone.
I sometimes drink to avoid my worries, stress and pressure.
I sometimes drink to numb feelings of sadness, loneliness or despair.
I sometimes have had a “blackout” or loss of memory as a result of my drinking.
I have been to see my GP about issues or concerns to do with my drinking.
I have had previous treatment for alcohol related issues.
I have tried, at times, to control the amount of alcohol I drink but with not much success.