Am I an Addict?

Four Questions to Ask Yourself

Over the weekend, you went to a party and again you drank more beer than you had planned.  You tell yourself "that is the last time I am smoking pot!" yet within a a week you are hanging out playing video games with friends and take a bong hit. Everywhere you go signs say "No smoking."  Having a cigarette is becoming a chore just to find a public place to light up.  You tell yourself - "I am quitting!" 

You listen to friends say, "I am a social drinker or I smoke weed for recreation only - I don't have a problem with it."  You find yourself wondering . . . do I have a problem or addiction . . . . 

. . . .there is a short "test" to find out if you are showing signs of substance abuse.  The CAGE-AID test is a standard brief test used to screen for substance abuse.  

Ask yourself these four questions?  Be as honest with yourself as possible - considering your life history. 

1. Have you ever felt you ought to cut down on your drinking or drug use?

2. Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking or drug use?

3. Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking or drug use?

4. Have you ever had a drink or taken drugs first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

How did your answers come out?  

If you have answered one or more of the four questions with a "yes" there is a strong change you have a substance abuse problem.  You may want to obtain a more thorough evaluation or assessment from a substance abuse counselor.  

Learning to make healthy changes is possible.  

When you are ready to take the first step to change or if you just want to learn more about addiction and recovery . . . check out our website www.stages2change.com.  

On the website you will find the Cage-Aid Test and many free resources to help you educate yourself about specific addictions.  You will also find a place to request a free consultation through taking the first step of simply completing a brief screening form. 

Reference Note:  
The Cage-Aid Questionnaire is an adapted version of the CAGE Assessment for alcohol dependence. The CAGE-AID includes drug use and is designed to reveal potential substance abuse with only one yes answer.  The CAGE questionnaire was developed by Dr. John Ewing, University of North Carolina. CAGE is an internationally used assessment instrument for identifying problems with alcohol. 'CAGE' is an acronym formed from the italicized letters in the questionnaire (cut-annoyed-guilty-eye).

www.stages2change.com