Twenty Questions - Are You An Alcoholic?
Early A.A. in Akron, Ohio had developed their own manual with which to help prospective new members. I think we’ve all seen these but I didn’t know their origin - now I do and so might you… Once again, thanks to Glenn C. at AA History Lovers at Yahoo!
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THE PROSPECTIVE MEMBER of A.A. may have some doubts if he is actually an alcoholic. A.A. in Akron has found a yardstick prepared by psychiatrists of Johns Hopkins University to be very valuable in helping the decide for himself.
Have your prospect answer the following questions, being as honest as possible with himself in deciding the answers. If he answers Yes to one of the questions, there is a definite warning that he MAY be an alcoholic. If he answers YES to any two, the chances are that he IS an alcoholic. If he answers YES to any three or more, he IS DEFINITELY an alcoholic and in need of help.
The questions:
1. Do you lose time from work due to drinking?
2. Is drinking making your home life unhappy?
3. Do you drink because you are shy with other people?
4. Is drinking affecting your reputation?
5. Have you gotten into financial difficulties as a result of drinking?
6. Have you ever stolen, pawned property, or “borrowed” to get money for alcoholic beverages?
7. Do you turn to lower companions and an inferior environment when drinking?
8. Does your drinking make you careless of your family’s welfare?
9. Has your ambition decreased since drinking?
10. Do you crave a drink at a definite time daily?
11. Do you want a drink the next morning?
12. Does drinking cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
13. Has your efficiency decreased since drinking?
14. Is drinking jeopardizing your job or business?
15. Do you drink to escape from worries or troubles?
16. Do you drink alone?
17. Have you ever had a complete loss of memory s a result of drinking?
18. Has your physician ever treated you for drinking?
19. Do you drink to build up your self-confidence?
20. Have you ever been to a hospital or institution on account of drinking?
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POSTED IN: The 12 Steps
2 opinions for Twenty Questions - Are You An Alcoholic?
Emma Rees
Sep 6, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Is it possible to be an alcoholic if you crave a drink at a certain time but don’t have it? And without keeping alcohol at home?
I have found my tolerance has grown and I can drink three or four glasses of wine, sometimes followed by one or two liquors. This might happen once a week when I go out. I often feel like a drink at a certain time but I don’t have it.
Mark
Sep 6, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Well Emma, from reading these questions above I’d come to the conclusion that craving a drink at a certain time daily would be a “definite warning.”
However, it is not my call to make. Did you take all twenty questions? How did you do with the rest?
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