Substance Abuse Self-Assessment

Check the Ones Which Describe or Come Close to Describing the Way You Use Alcohol and/or Drugs.

Do you drink more than 2 drinks per day on average, in a week (1.5 if you are a woman)? A drink is 1 ounce of hard liquor, one beer or 6 ounces of wine. Answer yes even if you consume all the drinks over a weekend.
Do you use alcohol or drugs to cope with stress?
Do you ever drink or use more than you had intended or than you told yourself you would when you started?
Has your performance at work, school or home been affected by your drug or alcohol consumption?
Has a friend or relative ever told you that they were concerned about your alcohol or drug use?
Do you find it hard to stop drinking easily after one or two drinks?
Do you find it hard to stop using easily after you start using drugs?
Do you find yourself thinking about when you will be able to have your next drink or use again?
Have you ever used drugs from an unknown origin? Hint: If you are buying street drugs, the dealer didn’t grow it.
Have you ever awakened after drinking or using and could not remember part of the evening?
Do you say or do things while intoxicated that you later regret while sober?
Do you experience withdrawal symptoms after not consuming drugs or alcohol for an extended period of time?
Have you ever gone to anyone for help about your drinking or drug use? (including AA, NA, CA etc.)
Do you ever remain drunk or high for days at a time?
Do you experience guilt and/or remorse after drinking or using?
Have you ever promised yourself that you are going to quit drinking or using only to find yourself drinking or using again?
Have you ever tried methods to cut down on your drinking or drug use?
Do you ever sneak drinks or hide your drug use at parties or get high or "buzzed" before attending social events so that people can't gauge how much you are using or drinking?
Do you tell yourself or others that you can quit anytime but still get drunk and/or high without meaning to?
In the past year have you ever had a drink or used drugs upon waking up to feel better from the night before?

If you have checked three or more of these 20 questions, it is highly probable that you have a drinking or drug use problem.

What This Means
If you’ve gone through these questions honestly, you probably have a clearer sense of something you may have been unsure about.
This isn’t about labels or overreacting. It’s about recognizing patterns – and deciding what, if anything, you want to do about them.
For some people, this brings a sense of clarity. For others, it simply raises new questions.
Either way, you don’t have to figure everything out right now.

If You’re Wondering What to Do Next
Most people start by trying to understand this on their own before deciding if they need more support.
If you’re considering your next step, there are a few different ways to approach it.

Start with a Structured Program (On Your Own Terms)
If you prefer to reflect, learn, and work through things privately, a self-directed program can be a good place to begin.
It gives you a clear framework to understand your patterns, start making changes, and move at your own pace – without pressure.
→ Explore the Self-Directed Program

Work Directly with a Therapist
If what you’re seeing feels more serious – or if you’ve tried to change before and found it difficult to follow through – working with a therapist can provide structure, accountability, and support.
This tends to be helpful when patterns feel more established, or when the impact is already affecting your relationships, work, or sense of control.
→ Learn About Therapist-Guided Support

Not Sure What You Need Yet?
If you’re somewhere in between – unsure how serious this is or what level of help makes sense – you don’t have to decide right now.
You can reach out, ask questions, and get a clearer sense of what your situation might call for.
→ Get More Information or Reach Out