Frequently Asked Questions
Is this check-in a diagnosis, or does it tell me I'm an alcoholic?
No. This is a free, self-reflection tool, not a clinical diagnosis. It cannot tell you whether you have Alcohol Use Disorder in a medical sense — only a licensed professional can make that kind of assessment. What it can do is give you a plain-language snapshot across four domains, impaired control, social impact, risky use, and tolerance/withdrawal, which can be a useful starting point if you're wondering whether your drinking is worth a closer look.
Is it normal to sometimes drink more than I planned?
It happens to most people occasionally, and that alone isn't the concern. The pattern this check-in looks at is consistency: does it happen regularly, is it hard to stop once you start, and does it affect your responsibilities or relationships. One occasional overshoot is different from a repeating pattern.
I strongly relate to my results — what should I actually do next?
Start by treating your results as information, not a verdict. A good next step is a conversation with a doctor or a licensed counselor who works with alcohol use — they can help without judgment. The SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357, free, confidential, available 24/7) is a good starting point, and support communities like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery are free and widely available if you want peer support alongside professional help.
Is it safe to just stop drinking on my own if I score high?
If your body has adapted to regular, heavy drinking, stopping abruptly can carry real medical risk, including withdrawal symptoms that sometimes require supervision. This is why a high-tier result on this check-in comes with a specific recommendation: talk to a doctor before making a sudden change, so you can do it safely rather than on your own.
How is this different from the Burnout Risk or Stress Test?
This check-in focuses specifically on drinking patterns: impaired control, social and role impact, risky use, and tolerance/withdrawal. Burnout Risk and the Stress Test look at work-related exhaustion and general stress load, useful if alcohol isn't the main thing on your mind but daily pressure is.
Does a high score mean something is wrong with me as a person?
No. Alcohol Use Disorder is a recognized medical pattern, not a character flaw or a failure of willpower. Research estimates it affects roughly 1 in 8 US adults in any given year, and the large majority never receive treatment. Noticing the pattern is useful information, and real, effective support, medical and peer-based, exists if you want it.