Am I an alcoholic or an addict?

Compulsive and sometimes uncontrollable drinking, drug craving, med-seeking,
and use that persist even in the face of negative consequences characterize drug
addiction. For many people, drug addiction becomes chronic, with relapses occurring
after drug rehab and even after long periods of abstinence.

Over time, a person’s ability to choose not to take drugs can become compromised.
Drug seeking becomes compulsive, as a result of the effects of prolonged drug use
on brain functioning. Behavior becomes unpredictable.

Drug rehab is the beginning of recovery, not the end of the disease. Scientists
continue studying alcoholism. Some of the more exciting investigations focus on the
causes, consequences, treatment and prevention of alcoholism:

• Genetics: Alcoholism is a complex disease. Scientists have identified chromosomes
where genes involved in increasing a person’s risk for alcoholism are potentially
located. Researchers are working to be able to identify and measure the specific
contribution of each gene to the complex behaviors associated with drinking.

• Treatment: Three commonly used behavioral modalities for drug abuse and
alcoholism are: motivation enhancement therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and
12-step involvement. Other therapies that have been evaluated and found effective
in reducing substance abuse problems include drug rehab and transitional living.
Today cutting edge treatment also includes Neuro-Development Programs. Recovery
Advocates offers a comprehensive Brain Science Program.

• Medications: There are a range of new medications being developed based on the
results of genetic and neuroscience research. Neuroscience research has already led
to studies of one medication—naltrexone as an anti-craving medication. This drug, in
combination with behavioral therapy, has proven effective in treating alcohol craving.
Naltrexone, often started in drug rehab, targets the brain’s reward circuits and is the
first medication approved to help maintain sobriety after detoxification from alcohol
since the approval of Antabuse in 1949. Suboxone and Subutex (Buprenorphine)
are now commonly used in opiate detoxification. These new therapies have proved
safe, comfortable and effective in the diminishment of opiate withdrawal and
cravings.

• Combined medications/behavioral therapies: Medications work best with behavioral
therapy. Studies are taking place to determine which of the currently available
medications and which behavioral therapies work best together. Drug rehab and/or
transitional living are suggested settings for these studies.

Recovery Advocates at The Lake House maintains several modalities of treatment
that can be put in a comprehensive treatment plan in order meet our clients’ specific
needs.

Answer YES or NO to the following questions.

1. Do you lose time from work due to drinking or using drugs? YES __ NO __

2. Is drinking or using making your home life unhappy? YES __ NO __

3. Do you drink or use because you are shy with other people? YES __ NO __

4. Is your drinking or using affecting your reputation? YES __ NO __

5. Have you ever felt remorse after drinking or using? YES __ NO __

6. Have you ever got into financial difficulties as a result of drinking or using? YES __ NO __

7. Do you turn to lower companions/inferior environments when drinking? YES __ NO __

8. Does your drinking or using make you careless of your family’ s welfare? YES __ NO __

9. Has your ambition decreased since drinking or using? YES __ NO __

10. Do you crave a drink, pain medication, or a sedative at a definite time? YES __ NO __

11. Do you want a drink or need medication the next morning? YES __ NO __

12. Does drinking or using cause you to have difficulty in sleeping? YES __ NO __

13. Has your efficiency decreased since drinking or using? YES __ NO __

14. Is drinking or using jeopardizing your job or business? YES __ NO __

15. Do you drink or use to escape from worries or trouble? YES __ NO __

16. Do you drink or use alone? YES __ NO __

17. Have you ever had a complete loss of memory as a result of drinking/using? YES __ NO __

18. Has your physician ever treated you for drinking or drug/medication abuse? YES __ NO __

19. Do you drink, self-medicate, or use to build up your self-confidence? YES __ NO __

20. Have you ever been to a hospital or institution because of drinking or using? YES __ NO __

What’s your score?
If you have answered YES to any one of the questions, there is a definite warning that you may be an
alcoholic and/or an addict.
If you have answered YES to any two, the chances are that you are an alcoholic and/or addict.
If you answered YES to three or more, you are definitely an alcoholic and/or addict.

(These test questions are used at Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Baltimore, MD, in deciding whether
or not a patient is an alcoholic).