Do You or Someone You Care About Have a Problem with Alcohol?
Alcohol abuse and
alcoholism touch many lives. It is estimated that one out of every 13
adults either abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. That’s nearly 14 million
Americans. In addition, it is estimated that over 3 million teens between
the ages of 14 and 17 are problem drinkers. Further, about 40% of U.S.
adults have been touched by alcoholism in their families, that is they
grew up with a problem drinker or alcoholic, have a blood relative who
is a problem drinker or alcoholic, or married a problem drinker or alcoholic.
Here are some simple
questions to help you determine if you or a loved has a problem with alcohol.
Please answer Yes or No to the following questions.
SMAST*
- Do you feel you are a normal drinker?
- Does your wife (spouse or parents) ever worry or complain about your drinking?
- Do you ever feel guilty about your drinking?
- Do friends or relatives think you are a normal drinker?
- Are you always able to stop drinking when you want to?
- Have you ever attended a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)?
- Has drinking ever created problems with you and your wife, husband, parent, or other relative?
- Have you ever gotten into trouble at work because of drinking?
- Have you ever neglected your obligations, your family, or your work for two or more days in a row because you were drinking?
- Have you ever gone to anyone for help about your drinking?
- Have you ever been in a hospital because of drinking?
- Have you ever been arrested for drunk driving, driving while intoxicated, or driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage?
- Have you ever been arrested even for a few hours because of drunk behavior?
Scoring
your responses: If you answered “Yes” to questions
2, 3, 6 – 13, give yourself one point for each “Yes”
response. If you answered “No” to questions 1, 4, or 5, give
yourself one point for each “No” response.
How to interpret the results: If you scored 2 points
or less, you probably do not have a problem with alcohol. If you scored
3 points, you may have a problem with alcohol. If you scored 4 or more
points, you definitely have a problem with alcohol.
The Employee Assistance Program has helped many people effectively treat their alcohol problems. We urge you to call the EAP or speak to your primary care physician. There are many programs out there, even for people who do not have health insurance. Help is just a phone call away. We’re here when you are ready. You need to take the first step.
Call the Employee Assistance Program at 1-800-888-5105.
* The Short Michigan Alcohol Screening Test is used with the permission of Dr. Melvin Seltzer, developer of the SMAST.