Alcoholism is prominent today, and it poses multiple health risks. Even excessive indulgence can have harmful effects on the human brain and body. Excessive alcohol consumption negatively impacts many different areas of the body including the heart, kidneys, and central nervous system. It also raises the risk of several types of cancer.Â
If you have engaged in binge drinking in the past, you may be wondering if you’re at risk for alcoholism. The World Health Organization put together a handy questionnaire called an “Am I an alcoholic quiz?†Taking this simple self-assessment quiz can help you determine if you drink too much or are at risk for developing alcoholism.Â
Here’s what you need to know.Â
When is alcohol dangerous?
Drinking alcohol can pose many risks aside from drinking and driving. Excessive alcohol consumption poses multiple health risks and the possibility of becoming physically dependent on alcohol for normal everyday function. Drinking in moderation is not necessarily harmful but drinking to oblivion poses multiple risks.Â
It’s easy to drink too much alcohol without realizing it but it can be a problem if it happens more than occasionally. Binge drinking is dangerous, but it is not the same as alcoholism. It can raise someone’s risk of becoming an alcoholic but there are still substantial differences between binge drinking and alcoholism.Â
What’s an “Am I an alcoholic quiz?â€
The World Health Organization (WHO) put together a 10-question test to help people determine if they have a drinking problem or may be at risk for alcoholism. It is formally called an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) but many call it the “Am I an alcoholic quiz?†Medical professionals often use the quiz to help patients determine if they should seek medical intervention or professional treatment for their drinking.Â
Each answer on the questionnaire is assigned points ranging from 0 to 4. After answering all the questions, the total number of points are added together. Depending on the number of points garnered, patients may fall into 1 of 4 categories.Â
- Low risk of alcohol addiction
- Moderate risk of alcohol addiction with suggested action
- High risk of alcohol addiction with suggested action
- Likely an alcoholic with suggested therapies
The “Am I an alcoholic quiz?†is meant to be used as a guide. It is not perfect but has been found to be pretty accurate and can give people general direction as to when seeking medical attention may be beneficial.Â
It May Be Time To Get Help
If you binge drink or drink excessively and find it difficult to quit, it may be time to seek help. If you take the “Am I an alcoholic quiz†and score 8 points or higher, it may be time to talk to a medical professional. Alcoholism is a disease which requires a comprehensive treatment plan to overcome permanently and safely. If you are an alcoholic, abruptly stopping the ingestion of alcohol can lead to dangerous withdrawals or seizures. You should seek medical intervention to get safe treatment options and learn the coping skills necessary to live a healthy, sober life.Â