Why the Quiz Doesn't Work

If you've done any research on the signs of alcoholism you may have come across one of these quizzes. They are a list of questions that ask about various aspects of a person's drinking behaviour. It usually goes something like this:

1. Have you ever lost time from work due to drinking?
2. Have you had financial difficulties as a result of drinking?
3. Is drinking making your home life unhappy?
4. Do you crave a drink at certain times in the day?
5. Do you drink alone?

And so on. The idea is that if you answer "yes" to any of these questions, you may have a drinking problem and you should see your health care provider for an assessment.

While these quizzes may alert someone whose life is being affected by the actions of a drinker, it is highly unlikely that the drinker will read these questions and give honest answers. The reason for that is because denial is one of the first signs of alcoholism.

An alcoholic is not going to take a quiz such as this, or answer truthfully even if they do. Not because they are cheating, but because they simply do not recognize that alcohol is a problem for them. That is why it is such a dangerous and destructive disease. One of its first symptoms is making you feel as though you have nothing wrong with you.

All it takes is just one of the signs of alcoholism to indicate a drinking problem. If any such sign is present, get help as soon as possible. Like cancer, the earlier you can stop the progression of alcoholism, the better.