The clinical term for alcoholism is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The DSM-5 criteria are based not on how much you drink, but on loss of control and harm: drinking more than intended, failed attempts to cut down, cravings, neglecting responsibilities, continuing despite consequences, withdrawal symptoms, and tolerance. Meeting 2–3 criteria indicates mild AUD; 4–5 moderate; 6+ severe. If you're asking this question, that itself is meaningful — most people with AUD minimize their use.
In the past 12 months, check all that apply to you. This is based on the 11 DSM-5 criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder. This quiz does not provide a clinical diagnosis.
Important: This self-assessment is based on DSM-5 clinical criteria and is provided for educational purposes only. A yes result does not replace a clinical diagnosis, and a no result does not guarantee the absence of a problem. If you're concerned about your drinking, speaking with a physician or addiction counselor is the most accurate next step.
Alcohol Use Disorder is defined by the presence of at least 2 of the following 11 criteria within a 12-month period. These are the same criteria used by clinicians and addiction specialists:
You planned to have two drinks and had six. You planned to stop at 10pm and it's 2am. The hallmark of loss of control is the gap between what you intended and what happened.
You've tried to moderate or stop. The attempts either failed quickly or succeeded briefly before the pattern resumed. This is the clearest behavioral evidence of dependence.
This includes time obtaining alcohol, drinking, and recovering from drinking. When a significant portion of your day is organized around alcohol, it's meeting the AUD threshold for time spent.
Intrusive thoughts about drinking during the day. Difficulty thinking about other things until you have a drink. Feeling a pull toward alcohol as a default response to certain situations.
Missing work, neglecting childcare, failing academic commitments, or consistently underperforming in responsibilities because of drinking or recovery from it.
Your partner has asked you to stop. Your relationships have deteriorated because of drinking. Arguments about alcohol are recurring. Drinking is continuing despite the interpersonal cost.
Hobbies, social activities, recreational pursuits, or professional opportunities reduced or abandoned because of drinking or its aftermath.
Driving while impaired. Swimming or operating machinery drunk. Combining alcohol with medications that carry interaction warnings. Drinking in situations where impairment creates meaningful physical risk.
Knowing alcohol worsens depression, anxiety, a liver condition, or another problem, and drinking anyway. The knowledge of harm does not reduce the drinking.
Needing significantly more alcohol to achieve the same effect. Or experiencing noticeably less effect from the same amount than before. Tolerance reflects neurological adaptation to chronic alcohol exposure.
Experiencing physical or psychological symptoms when not drinking: shaking, sweating, anxiety, nausea, elevated heart rate, insomnia, hallucinations, or seizures. Alcohol withdrawal can be medically dangerous. If you have withdrawal symptoms, talk to a physician before stopping abruptly.
| Criteria Met | Severity | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | No AUD diagnosed | But if you were concerned enough to take this quiz, it may be worth monitoring. |
| 2–3 | Mild AUD | Early-stage patterns that respond well to behavioral intervention. |
| 4–5 | Moderate AUD | A significant pattern that typically benefits from professional support. |
| 6–11 | Severe AUD | Medical supervision is important, especially for stopping safely. Do not detox alone. |
If this assessment indicates mild to moderate AUD: speaking with your primary care physician is a strong first step. Many effective medications (naltrexone, acamprosate) require a prescription and significantly improve outcomes. CBT and motivational interviewing are the most evidence-based behavioral interventions. SMART Recovery and Alcoholics Anonymous both provide peer community that improves long-term outcomes.
If this assessment indicates severe AUD, or if you experience withdrawal symptoms when you go without alcohol: do not attempt to stop abruptly without medical supervision. Alcohol withdrawal is one of the few withdrawal syndromes that can be life-threatening. A medically supervised detox is the safest starting point.
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Download on the App StoreThe clinical standard is not how much you drink but whether drinking causes harm and whether you've lost control over it. DSM-5 criteria include drinking more than intended, failed attempts to cut down, cravings, failing obligations, and withdrawal symptoms. Meeting 2–3 criteria indicates mild Alcohol Use Disorder.
A heavy drinker consumes above recommended limits but retains control — they can choose to stop or reduce without significant compulsion or withdrawal. Someone with AUD has lost that voluntary control and continues drinking despite wanting to stop, experiencing withdrawal, or facing significant consequences.
Mild to moderate AUD can often be addressed without inpatient treatment. However, alcohol withdrawal can be medically dangerous. Anyone with severe AUD, daily drinking, or withdrawal symptoms should consult a physician before stopping abruptly. Medical supervision for detox, combined with behavioral treatment and peer support, produces significantly better outcomes.
Yes — and it's worth taking seriously. Most people with AUD minimize their drinking. The fact that you're asking the question suggests some part of you is concerned. That's useful information. Getting a professional assessment or speaking honestly with your doctor is a reasonable next step.