Alcohol self-assessment
Are you drinking too
much?
If you're not really sure
about the amount you are drinking take this short test.
It'll help you to assess the
effects of your drinking and if it suggests you're drinking too much you'll get
advice on how to cut down or seek further help.
QUESTIONS
1.How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
a) Never (0 points)
b) Once a month or less (1 points)
c) 2 to 4 times a month (2 points)
d) 2 to 3 times a week (3 points)
e) 4 or more times a week (4 points)
2.How many units of alcohol do you have on a
typical day when you are drinking?
1-2 (0 points)
3-4 (1 point)
5-6 (2 points)
7-9 (3 points)
10 + (4 points)
What is a unit?
You can't just count each
drink as a unit of alcohol. The number of units depends on the different strength
and size of each drink, so it can vary a lot.
Here's some examples:
3.How often do you have six or more units on one
occasion?
a) Never (0 points)
b) Less than monthly (1 points)
c) Monthly (2 points)
d) Weekly (3 points)
e) Daily or almost daily (4 points)
What’s binge drinking?
Binge drinking usually refers
to drinking lots of alcohol in a short space of time or drinking to get
drunk.
There is no consistently
agreed measure of binge drinking but drinking more than eight units on any day
for men, and more than six units for women, is the measure normally used.
The vital thing is to avoid
drinking heavily in one session or drinking to intoxication.
Binge drinking is a major
factor in accidents, violence and anti-social behaviour.
4. How
often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected
from you because of your drinking?
a) Never (0 points)
b) Less than monthly (1 points)
c) Monthly (2 points)
d) Weekly (3 points)
e) Daily or almost daily (4 points)
5.How often during the last year have you found
that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?
a) Never (0 points)
b) Less than monthly (1 points)
c) Monthly (2 points)
d) Weekly (3 points)
e) Daily or almost daily (4 points)
6. How often during the last year have
you needed an alcoholic drink in the morning to get yourself going after a
heavy drinking session?
a) Never (0 points)
b) Less than monthly (1 point)
c) Monthly (2 points)
d) Weekly (3 points)
e) Daily or almost daily (4 points)
7.How often during the last year have you had a
feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?
a) Never (0 points)
b) Less than monthly (1 points)
c) Monthly (2 points)
d) Weekly (3 points)
e) Daily or almost daily (4 points)
8.How often during the last year have you been
unable to remember what happened the night before because you had been
drinking?
a) Never (0 points)
b) Occasionally (1 point)
c) Monthly (2 points)
d) Weekly (3 points)
e) Daily (4 points)
9.Have you or somebody else been injured as a result
of your drinking?
a) No, this has never happened (0 points)
b) Yes, but not in the past year (2 points)
c) Yes, during the past year (4 points)
10.Has a relative, friend,
doctor or health worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut
down?
a) No, never (0 points)
b) Yes, but not in the past year (2 points)
c) Yes, during the past year (4 points)
RESULTS
0-8 points
Based on your answers today you're
drinking in a way that is sociable and is unlikely to harm your health.
As long as your drinking does
remain within recommended levels, there is only a low risk that the way you
drink will contribute to future health problems.
The NHS recommends that women
should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day and men should not
regularly drink more than 3-4 units a day.
Remember, there can be risks
from one-off episodes of heavy drinking too.
8-20 points
Based on your answers today your drinking does appear to be
putting you at increased risk of developing health problems, so you might want
to think about cutting down.
The following can help you
cut down:
The NHS recommends that women
should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day and men should not
regularly drink more than 3-4 units a day.
20-100 points
Based on your answers today your
drinking is already causing you problems.
The NHS recommends that women
should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day and men should not
regularly drink more than 3-4 units a day.
You may want help to reduce
your drinking. You can find local alcohol services through the 'Find services'
section of NHS Choices or your GP will be able to help you find them. You
can also contact the National Drinkline 0800 917 8282
open 24 hours, seven days a week.
USEFUL LINKS
Where to get help if you need it http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/alcohol/Pages/Alcoholsupport.aspx
Real story: how I stopped drinking http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/alcohol/Pages/Alldaydrinker.aspx
The effects of binge drinking http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/alcohol/Pages/Bingedrinking.aspx
Social drinking: the risks http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/alcohol/Pages/Socialdrinking.aspx
NHS Choices 2011