Addiction in Seniors an epidemic part three (Are you at Risk?)

Yesterday I talked about addiction being a major hidden epidemic among seniors, today I am offering a self test developed by John Hopkins University in the US to help determine if you are at risk.

The following is a Self Test to determine if you are prone to addiction, or drug misuse. The test was developed by Johns Hopkins University

1.     Do you lose time from work due to your drinking or drug use?

2.     Is drinking or drug use making your home life unhappy?

3.     Do you drink or use drugs because you are shy with other people?

4.     Is drinking or using drugs affecting your reputation?

5.     Have you ever felt remorse after drinking or drug use?

6.     Have you gotten into financial difficulties as a result of your drinking or drug use?

7.     Do you turn to lower companions and an inferior environment when drinking or using drugs?

8.     Does your drinking or using drugs make you careless of your family's welfare?

9.     Has your ambition decreased since drinking or using drugs?

10. Do you crave a drink or drugs at a definite time daily?

11. Do you want a drink or drugs the next morning?

12. Does drinking or drug use cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?

13. Has your efficiency decreased since drinking or using drugs?

14. Is drinking or using drugs jeopardizing your job or business?

15. Do you drink or use drugs to escape from worries or troubles?

16. Do you drink or use drugs alone?

17. Have you ever had a complete loss of memory as a result of your drinking or drug use?

18. Has your physician ever treated you for drinking or drug use?

19. Do you drink or use drugs to build up your self-confidence?

20. Have you ever been in a hospital or institution on account of drinking or drug use

If you answered “yes” to 3 questions, it suggests you probably have a drinking or drug problem.

If you answered “yes” to 4-7 questions, it suggests you may be in an early stage of alcoholism or drug addiction.

If you answered “yes” to 7-10 questions, it suggests you may be in the second stage of alcoholism or drug addiction.

If you answered “yes” to more than 10 questions, it suggests you may be in end-stage alcoholism or drug addiction.

Please remember that this test was designed to help determine if you may have a problem, it isn’t necessarily true. 

But if you’ve answered “yes” to more than 3 questions, you are encouraged to take the next step: seek professional help in determining if you have an alcohol or drug problem from a doctor or drug addiction specialist; or attend an “open” meeting of AA or other 12-Step programs (ie. one that’s open to the public and not specifically limited to those who identify themselves as alcoholics or drug addicts).

You don’t have to say anything, you can just listen to see if you share the feelings or the struggles you hear described there. AA meetings are welcoming and they’re anonymous.

If you’re afraid of going to a 12-Step meeting, try to examine why. The reason(s) may be additional clues to whether or not you have a problem.