I saw a pamphlet in my first week of sobriety with questions that test whether you have a problem with alcohol or drugs. It was important for me to go through it and see the impact substance abuse had on my life. I couldn’t deny any longer. It was clear as day.
This is my own version of the questions. They are the ones I see consistently in us substance abusers. Answer them truthfully for yourself. I said truthfully!
- Have you drank or used more drugs than you planned to recently?
- Do you compare your drinking or drugging to others so you feel better about it?
- Do you hide the amount of drugs you take or how much alcohol you drink?
- Have you missed work or school because of drinking or drugs recently?
- Have you had any run ins with the police because of alcohol or drugs?
- Does a good chunk of your money go to alcohol or drugs?
- Are you often hungover or strung out?
- Have you recently had bad mornings because of drinking or drugs?
- Do you drink or use drugs in the morning?
- Have your relationships been hurt or lost because of drinking or drugs whether with family, friends, or partners?
- Are drugs or drinking keeping you from your potential in any way?
- Are you self medicating with alcohol or drugs (for sleep, feelings, mental struggles, pain, etc.)?
If you relate to any one of these, then you most likely have a problem. I can honestly tell you I said “yes” to all of them in my last few years of addiction. Snapping out of denial right now, in this instant, can put you on the path to healing, recovery, a better life, and not winding up in jail or dead before your time.
The only requirement to join recovery is a desire to stop, so go check out an AA or NA meeting today. You can ease in with a Zoom meeting and find recovery literature online. Meetings won’t kill you, but continuing on your path surely will.