How Can I Tell If I Have a Drinking Problem?

The short answer is if you have to ask, chances are you have a problem. If others in your life have told you that you have a problem, you probably do. If you have continued to drink in spite of negative consequences, that could be an indication of a serious problem.

Most people who experience problems with drinking, simply quit. They have one particularly painful or embarrassing drinking incident, wake up the next morning and tell themselves, "Never again!" and that's it. They stop drinking; just like that, no problem.

If you have done the same thing -- told yourself you would never get that drunk again, or even drink again -- but found yourself a few days later doing exactly what you swore to yourself you would never do, chances are your drinking falls into the category of alcohol abuse, at the very least, and alcohol dependence at worse.

Alcohol abuse is described as any "harmful use" of alcohol and that by definition is a "drinking problem." Whether or not you have become alcohol dependent is another question -- and whether or not you come to believe that you are an alcoholic, is yet another question.

If you think that you have a drinking problem, you should seek a full evaluation by a healthcare professional.