Are You Drinking Too Much?
Please answer the following questions truthfully by marking a / in front of the answer that best describes you.
1. How often do you drink alcohol?
(0) Never
(1) Once a month or less
(2) 2 – 4 times a month
(3) 2 – 3 times a week
(4) 4 or more times a week
2. On a typical day when you drink, how many standard drinks do you have?
A standard drink is any drink containing 10 grams of alcohol, such as one glass of beer (285 ml), a small glass of wine (100 ml), or a shot of spirits (30 ml).
(0) 1 or 2
(1) 3 or 4
(2) 5 or 6
(3) 7 to 9
(4) 10 or more
3. How often do you have six or more standard drinks on one occasion?
A standard drink is any drink containing 10 grams of alcohol, such as one glass of beer (285 ml), a small glass of wine (100 ml), or a shot of spirits (30 ml).
(0) Never
(1) Less than once a month
(2) Once a month
(3) Once a week
(4) Daily or almost daily
4. How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?
(0) Never
(1) Less than once a month
(2) Once a month
(3) Once a week
(4) Daily or almost daily
5. How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected from you because of drinking?
(0) Never
(1) Less than once a month
(2) Once a month
(3) Once a week
(4) Daily or almost daily
6. How often during the last year have you needed a first drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?
(0) Never
(1) Less than once a month
(2) Once a month
(3) Once a week
(4) Daily or almost daily
7. How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?
(0) Never
(1) Less than once a month
(2) Once a month
(3) Once a week
(4) Daily or almost daily
8. How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because you had been drinking?
(0) Never
(1) Less than once a month
(2) Once a month
(3) Once a week
(4) Daily or almost daily
9. Have you or someone else been injured as a result of your drinking?
(0) Never
(2) Yes, but not in the last year
(4) Yes, in the last year
10. Has a relative, friend, doctor, or other health professional expressed concern about your drinking or suggested you cut down?
(0) Never
(2) Yes, but not in the last year
(4) Yes, in the last year
Scoring
Add up the scores for the answers you marked. Your total score means the following:
0 to 7 points indicates low risk
- It is advisable to keep your drinking at this level or below indefinitely.
- In certain situations, such as when driving, working with machinery, being pregnant, or when ill, even a small amount of alcohol can pose risks to you and others. Hence, refraining from drinking in these situations is recommended.
8 to 12 points indicates that your drinking could cause harm.
- You might experience symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, poor mobility, diminished cognitive abilities, high blood pressure, depression and stress, sexual dysfunction, and an increased risk of injury, especially when driving or working with machinery.
- It’s advisable to reduce your drinking. To do this, try to control the amount of alcohol you consume as follows:
Men should not drink more than 4 standard drinks per day, and should have at least 2 alcohol-free days per week. You should not drink more than 6 standard drinks in any one day.
Women should not drink more than 2 standard drinks per day, and should have at least 2 alcohol-free days per week. You should not drink more than 4 standard drinks in any one day.
13 points or more indicates high risk or alcohol dependence.
- You will likely experience more serious health issues, especially concerning your liver and brain; your memory will deteriorate.
- You may be developing an addiction to alcohol, spending a lot of time drinking and as a result, losing your job and harming relationships with family members.
- It’s crucial to stop drinking and seek medical attention immediately.
Source: Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health
