Please Reach Out for Support Soon
High
You deserve support, please reach out soon.
Take the Drinking Habits Check-In
A high result means the patterns described here, difficulty controlling how much or how often you drink, effects on relationships or responsibilities, risky use, and signs of tolerance or withdrawal, are frequent enough that professional support is strongly recommended.
Please talk to a doctor before making any sudden changes to your drinking: if your body has adapted to regular alcohol use, stopping abruptly can carry real medical risk, including withdrawal symptoms that sometimes require supervision, so a doctor can help you do this safely. The SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357, free, confidential, 24/7) is a good starting point, and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery offer free ongoing support. The Drinking Habits Check-In is a self-reflection tool, not a diagnostic instrument, but a result like this is reason enough to reach out soon rather than wait. If you are having thoughts of self-harm, please contact a crisis line immediately.
Strengths
- You completed this check-in while struggling with it, that takes real courage
- Insight into the gap between the current pattern and how you want to live
- Alcohol Use Disorder is a recognized, treatable medical pattern, not a character flaw
- Frequently very capable once the pattern is eased by treatment
- Strong response to combined medical and peer support when started with the right precautions
Growth Edges
- Difficulty cutting back or stopping once you start, even when you want to
- Drinking is affecting work, relationships, or responsibilities on a regular basis
- Continuing to drink in situations that carry real risk (driving, mixing with medication, etc.)
- Signs of physical tolerance or withdrawal symptoms when you don’t drink
- Any thoughts of self-harm alongside this pattern need urgent attention from a professional
Career Matches
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Frequently Asked Questions
I am thinking about hurting myself. What do I do right now?
Please reach out to a crisis line immediately. In the US: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). In the UK: call Samaritans at 116 123 (free, 24/7) or text SHOUT to 85258. In Canada: 988. In Australia: 13 11 14 (Lifeline). If you cannot keep yourself safe, go to your nearest A&E / emergency room, or call your local emergency number (999 UK, 911 US). You do not have to be in immediate physical danger to call.
Is it safe to just stop drinking on my own if I score high?
Not necessarily. If your body has adapted to regular, heavy drinking, stopping abruptly can be medically risky, including withdrawal symptoms like tremors, seizures, or in severe cases delirium tremens, that sometimes require medical supervision. Talk to a doctor first so you can do this safely rather than on your own.
Is a high result the same as an Alcohol Use Disorder diagnosis?
No. It’s a strong signal that a full evaluation would help, but only a doctor or licensed counselor can diagnose a specific condition, usually through a clinical interview and sometimes basic health checks. This check-in is a starting point, not a verdict.
Will I always feel like this?
No. Alcohol Use Disorder is treatable, and most people who get consistent care, often a combination of medical support, counseling, and peer programs like AA or SMART Recovery, see real improvement. Recovery isn’t always linear, but sustained support works for the large majority of people who stay with it.
What is the very first step today?
Call the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357, free, confidential, 24/7) or your doctor and ask specifically about alcohol use support, or tell one person you trust what you’re going through. One small, concrete step is enough to start, and reaching out is a strong first step, not a last resort.
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Results Library content is educational, not a clinical assessment.