Assessing Your Relationship with Alcohol: Are You Drinking Too Much?
Sometimes, it’s challenging to recognize if your relationship with alcohol might be leaning toward unhealthy territory. While many people enjoy an occasional drink, certain habits could signal an increasing dependency on alcohol. To help identify potential concerns, the NHS offers a straightforward questionnaire that can provide insight into your drinking habits.
9 Key Questions to Evaluate Your Alcohol Intake
The NHS suggests asking yourself these questions, each with multiple-choice responses that score differently. Adding up your score at the end will indicate if you might benefit from a conversation with a healthcare professional.
- How often do you consume alcohol?
- On a typical day, how many drinks do you have?
- Do you frequently have six or more drinks in one sitting?
- Have you struggled to stop drinking once you started?
- Have you failed to meet responsibilities due to drinking?
- Do you ever need a drink in the morning to get going?
- Do you feel guilt or remorse after drinking?
- Have you forgotten the night before due to drinking?
- Have others suggested you reduce your drinking?
If your score exceeds eight, the NHS recommends scheduling a doctor’s appointment for further discussion.
Are You a Functional Alcoholic? Ask These Four Questions
In addition, Dr. Iqbal Mohiuddin, a psychiatrist at 25 Harley Street Day Clinic, suggests a simplified approach to determine if you might be a functional alcoholic. If you answer “yes” to these four questions, it may be worth examining your drinking habits more closely:
- C – Cutting Down: Have you considered reducing your alcohol intake?
- A – Annoyance: Do you get defensive when others mention your drinking?
- G – Guilt: Do you feel guilty about the impact of your drinking?
- E – Eye-Opener: Do you rely on a drink in the morning to feel better?
Being mindful of your answers can help raise awareness. If you find yourself concerned, remember that support is available through resources like Drinkline at 0300 123 1110. Taking these initial steps can be valuable in maintaining a healthy relationship with alcohol.
