Am I An Alcoholic? A Self-Assessment Based on Clinical Criteria
Most people who ask this question already sense something is off. The quiz below won’t tell you something you don’t already feel – but it will give you a clinical framework to understand what you’re experiencing, and language to name it.
This self-assessment is based on the 11 diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD) from the DSM-5 – the same criteria clinicians use to make a formal diagnosis. It takes about 2 minutes. Answer yes or no for each question based on the past 12 months.
This is not a clinical diagnosis. A formal diagnosis requires evaluation by a licensed clinician. But it’s a medically grounded starting point – and for a lot of people, it’s the first time they’ve seen their experience reflected in clear language.
What if you don't want to stop?
Many of these questions are written for someone who wants to drink less and can’t. For a lot of people, it doesn’t feel that way. Drinking might be what you look forward to most, how you unwind, or simply part of who you’ve been since you were young. The thought of stopping might feel like hell on earth, even if you’ve never tried. If that sounds familiar, pay attention to it. Not wanting to stop, or dreading the idea, can be a sign of how much of your life alcohol has taken up. Answer each question based on what actually happens, and if some don’t seem to fit, bring that up when you talk to someone.
Do I Have a Drinking Problem? 11 Questions Based on DSM-5 Criteria
Answer yes or no for each question. Think about the past 12 months only.