Alcoholism TestEven if an individual has a full evaluation by a competent health care provider, they still don't come away with something in black and white print that is 100% accurate. Alcoholism is a unique disease where the individual inflicted is the one who must make the ultimate diagnosis and arrive at a place where they seek help for themselves. A diagnosis for alcoholism is typically made by filling out questionnaires that address how alcohol is affecting the individual psychologically, physically, financially and socially etc. It's usually a screening process that measures consumption and analyzes behavior and consequences. Although these types of tests can be helpful to some degree in determining whether one is dealing with alcohol abuse, binging or true addiction, they are vulnerable to a variety of factors that impact reliability and validity. The biggest influence on whether results are solid is that the person filling out the questionnaire needs to be completely honest. Unfortunately individuals with alcoholism don't tend to be honest about their alcohol consumption or it's consequences. Even those who do attempt to be honest often don't see themselves accurately because their thinking is altered by denial and alcohol or they may be afraid to face the facts about the reality of the situation. Therefore, results of a standard alcoholism test may not be very accurate. According to NIAAA there are literally hundreds of alcoholism tests available for clinicians to use in the assessment of alcoholism. Some are very simple and short and others are more detailed and longer. It can be as simple as one question about how much you drink a day or it may consist of as many as 25 questions. Probably the most widely used test in standard treatment centers is the MAST. Simple Alcoholism TestThe simplest way for you to make a determination whether you have an alcohol problem is this: If you've arrived at my site or any alcoholism site, that means that you are apparently wondering and questioning your alcohol consumption or behaviors. If that's the case, the chances are very good that you've got some kind of alcohol problem, otherwise you wouldn't be having these questions. Something brought you here. Either a feeling you have deep inside your self or someone has said something to you about your drinking. This is a sign that something isn't quite right. Does that tell you for sure you're an alcoholic, no, but here's something we know for sure. Alcohol problems always progress. If you suspect alcoholism, it is to your benefit to take the steps needed to get you on the right track as soon as possible. A More Comprehensive Test for AlcoholismA more advanced and thorough test for alcoholism that I use is the one used at the Health Recovery Center and presented in "Seven Weeks to Sobriety" by Joan Mathews Larson. This test, which is actually called a biotype survey, will help you determine your body chemistry. Your body chemistry will determine if you have alcoholism and, if you do, what kind of alcoholism you have and how to address it successfully. 3 Types of Alcoholism There are three types of alcoholism. 1. Allergic/ Addicted In this alcoholism type the body can't tolerate alcohol and when the individual tries to "learn" to drink they form a pattern of allergy addiction. 2. Omega 6 With this body chemistry, the person is deficient in the Omega 6 EFA's. 3. THIQ This person is born with an alcohol dehydrogenase liver enzyme that eventually leads to addiction. Not only does this test determine if you have alcoholism, it then provides you with an individualized protocol to repair your body chemistry and help you achieve lasting sobriety. If you'd like more information about this alcoholism test or to learn how I used the biochemical approach to achieve 21 years of sobriety, take a look at my
sobriety coaching services
and we can set up a phone consultation. The biotype test comes free with your initial consultation, as well as an essentials for sobriety checklist and diet for sobriety guidelines.
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