Symptoms of
Addiction: Loss of Control
By:
Charles N. Roper, PhD, LCDC
There
is absolutely nothing magic about "Are You an
Alcoholic/Addict?" questionnaires. There are hundreds of
them. Some are more reliable than others, but the truth be known,
they probably all "work." So the key is not in the
questions; it's in the answers to the questions. Are they honest?
Diagnosing
addiction is actually fairly simple. Typically, if an individual intends
to control his or her drinking or using, and fails to do
so consistently, then he or she is probably addicted. The key
relationship is the one between intention and failure.
That relationship is at the heart of the concept of loss
of control.
The following
questionnaire is made up of statements indicative of loss of
control as it occurs in the lives of addicts. The statements
are taken directly from alcoholics and addicts who have entered
treatment programs in Austin, Texas.
Consider each
statement thoughtfully. How many can you honestly relate to?
- I have planned
to drink or use a certain amount of alcohol or drugs and ended
up drinking or using more than I planned.
- I have
continued to use alcohol or drugs after I intended to stop.
- I have found
myself using alcohol or drugs in spite of wishing not to.
- I have felt
guilty or remorseful about my drinking or using or my behavior
while drinking or using.
- I have felt
frustration and/or despair over my drinking or using.
- I have
experienced negative consequences associated with my drinking
or using but have continued to drink or use anyway.
- I have
attempted to control problems resulting from alcohol or drug
use by quitting, but then I started drinking/using again.
- I have
experienced a preference to drink or use rather than do what
is expected of me.
- I have drunk
or used more than I thought I should have.
- I have used
alcohol or drugs in spite of promises not to drink or use.
- I have
apologized to someone about my drinking or using or my
behavior while using.
- I have
neglected responsibilities in order to drink or use.
- I have
expressed regret about drinking or using without taking steps
to change it.
- I have stopped
to drink or use when I had planned on going straight home.
- My drinking or
using has caused me embarrassment, but I have continued to
use.
- I have thought
to myself that I would be better off if I didn't drink or use,
but I kept on drinking or using anyway.
- I have
continued to drink or use despite my reputation being affected
in negative ways.
- There have
been times when I felt that my drinking or using was out of
control.
- I have
promised myself or someone else that I would control my
drinking or using and then broke my promise.
- I have kept
secrets about the amount of alcohol or drugs that I have used,
or I have used alcohol or drugs in hiding.
- I have lied to
someone about how much or how often I drink or use.
How many
of these symptoms of addictive behavior apply to you? If it’s
only a couple then you probably don’t have very much of a
problem. On the other hand, it doesn't take many. And furthermore,
if you took the time to read and answer these questions, there
must be something going on. What do you think it is?
Please email your
comments or questions regarding this article to: croper1(at)austin.rr.com
(not a direct link in order to avoid address being picked up
robotically for spam).
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