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Questions for adults concerned about someone else's drinking (18 and over).

Directions: The following questions are designed to help you decide whether someone you know has a problem with alcohol (and can help you decide if you need support to deal with the substance abuser in your life). Carefully read each statement and decide if your answer is "Yes" or "No". Please answer every question. If you have difficulty with a statement, then choose the response that is mostly right.

1. Do you worry about how much someone else drinks?
  Yes
  No
2. Do you have money problems because of someone else's drinking?
  Yes
  No
3. Do you tell lies to cover up for someone else's drinking?
  Yes
  No
4. Do you feel that if the drinker cared about you, he or she would stop drinking to please you?
  Yes
  No
5. Do you blame the drinker's behavior on his or her companions?
  Yes
  No
6. Are plans frequently upset or canceled or meals delayed because of the drinker?
  Yes
  No
7. Do you make threats, such as, "If you don't stop drinking, I'll leave you"?
  Yes
  No
8. Do you secretly try to smell the drinker's breath?
  Yes
  No
9. Are you afraid to upset someone for fear it will set off a drinking bout?
  Yes
  No
10. Have you been hurt or embarrassed by a drinker's behavior?
  Yes
  No
11. Are holidays and gatherings spoiled because of drinking?
  Yes
  No
12. Have you considered calling the police for help in fear of abuse?
  Yes
  No
13. Do you search for hidden alcohol?
  Yes
  No
14. Do you ever ride in a car with a driver who has been drinking?
  Yes
  No
15. Have you refused social invitations out of fear or anxiety?
  Yes
  No
16. Do you feel like a failure because you can't control the drinking?
  Yes
  No
17. Do you think that if the drinker stopped drinking, your other problems would be solved?
  Yes
  No
18. Do you ever threaten to hurt yourself to scare the drinker?
  Yes
  No
19. Do you feel angry, confused, or depressed most of the time?
  Yes
  No
20. Do you feel there is no one who understands your problems?
  Yes
  No

Please Note: This screening tool may be used to provide an initial assessment of possible substance abuse issues but is not intended to definitively diagnose any medical or emotional conditions. If you have concerns about the alcohol or drug use of someone you know, it is strongly advised that a doctor or substance abuse professional should be consulted regardless of the results of this screening tool. Please contact Phoenix House to get advice, a referral or if you have questions about this screening tool. Call 800-HELP-111 or send a confidential email to the Phoenix House team today. Click here.

Reproduced with permission from Alanon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.

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