Alcohol Addiction Self-Assessment: Am I Drinking Too Much Alcohol?
Alcohol is a widely misused substance in everyday life and as a result, overconsumption can create problems. It is a good idea to check if your alcohol use is getting out of hand. Taking our self-assessment will give you the opportunity to gain insight into the signs and symptoms of alcohol misuse as well as the potential negative impacts drinking could have on your health. It’s not uncommon for addictive behaviors to go undetected or overlooked, so taking the initiative to assess your use with our alcohol addiction quiz can help you identify the severity of your situation and take steps towards recovery. By acknowledging your habits and patterns, you can start to address any concerns and make informed decisions about your well-being.
What is Alcohol?
Alcohol is a psychoactive substance (it affects how the brain works and causes changes in mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings, or behavior) with addictive properties that has been a deeply ingrained part of many cultures for centuries.1 Alcohol consumption has been linked to more than 200 diseases, injuries, and health conditions, and it plays a major role in public health. In addition to health concerns, alcohol use has social and economic consequences.1
What are the Effects of Alcohol Use?
Drinking alcohol can have both short-term and long-term negative effects, which can vary depending on various factors, including your overall health, the amount of alcohol you consume, and how quickly you consume it.2
The rate at which you drink can impact your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), and a higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) can lead to intensified immediate effects of alcohol.
Some of these effects may include:2
- Lowered inhibitions.
- Slurred speech.
- Motor impairment.
- Confusion.
- Memory problems.
- Concentration problems.
Long-term effects of alcohol use may include:2-4
- A risk of heart disease.
- An increased risk of different cancers.
- Stroke.
- Cognitive impairments and disorders.
- Weakened immune system.
- Increased risk of co-occurring mental health disorders.
Click here to read other effects of alcohol use.
How Much Alcohol is Too Much?
According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 137.4 million people aged 12 or older are current alcohol users, with 61.2 million (44.5 percent) reporting binge drinking in the past month, and 16.1 million (11.7 percent) reporting heavy alcohol use in the past month.5 Additionally, more than 29 million people (10.5 percent) had an alcohol use disorder (AUD), the diagnosis for alcohol addiction.5
In the United States, a “standard” drink is roughly equal to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, and 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits.6 Adults who are 21 or older are considered to be drinking in moderation if men drink 2 or less drinks per day and women drink 1 drink or less per day.6
It is considered binge drinking if a male consumes 5 or more drinks and a female consumes 4 or more drinks within 2 hours.6 For women, heavy drinking involves drinking 4 or more drinks in one day or 8 or more per week, while for men it is 5 or more drinks per day or 15 or more per week.6
Both binge drinking and heavy drinking make it more likely for someone to develop alcohol use disorder (AUD).6
If you are asking yourself, “Do I drink too much alcohol,” you should consider taking our self-assessment to learn more about alcohol use and alcohol use disorder.
What Are the Signs of Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol use disorder (AUD), also known as alcohol addiction, is defined by an individual’s inability to stop or control their alcohol use despite negative consequences.7 Health professionals use criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to diagnose if someone has an AUD and how severe it is.8
If an individual meets two or more of these criteria within a 12-month period, they are diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder (AUD).
How to Get Help for Alcohol Addiction
If you’re struggling with an AUD, it’s possible that you’ve tried to stop using alcohol before, but it can be very challenging to stop drinking. The important thing to know is that you are not alone as you begin your sobriety journey.
In an alcohol rehab program, you’ll work with staff who will create a plan to help you get the treatment that you need. Treatment for an alcohol use disorder may include various levels of care, including medical detox, inpatient addiction treatment, and outpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs.
If you’d like to start the treatment process, learn more about rehab, or verify your insurance, call our free, confidential helpline at to speak with a caring American Addiction Centers admissions navigator. You can find a rehab near you using our online directories tool. You can also easily verify your insurance online to check your health insurance coverage for treatment.