.

Psych Screening Alcohol Abuse and Dependence 51% of US residents are current alcohol users Alcoholism is the third largest health problem in USA 10% of women and 20% of men qualify for a diagnosis of Alcohol Abuse ( recurrent alcohol use that interferes with person's life, e.g. legal problems, work/school/home problems etc.) 5% of women and 10% of men qualify for a diagnosis of Alcohol Dependence ( person becomes tolerant to alcohol, has withdrawal symptoms when not drinking, has substance seeking activities etc.) Answer the following questions: YES NO 1 Have you ever tried to cut down or stop drinking and failed? 2 Do you get angry when people talk to you about your drinking? 3 Do you feel guilty when you drink? 4 Have you ever drank first thing in the morning as eye-opener or to stop shaking? 5 Has your drinking caused you problems at home or work? 6 Have you missed days at work or school because of drinking? 7 Do you get drunk even when you don't want to? 8 Did you get in trouble because of your drinking ( DWI, motor vehicle accidents)? 9 Did you have blackouts ( not remembering time periods when you have been drinking)? 10 Did you experience seizures, hand tremors, shakes, nausea, vomiting or agitation? If you answered YES to several of the above questions you might have a problem with your drinking and you could benefit from psychiatric treatment ( medication, individual or group psychotherapy, etc.) and of AA meetings.