How to Self-Diagnose an Addiction

If you are willing to explore the possibility of being addicted, you have already taken a courageous step in addressing a life-or-death issue that may be affecting you. You have chosen to begin the process of ending your misery. If you believe you are suffering from addiction, self-diagnosis is just the beginning. Seek information, support and a plan of recovery.There are millions of individuals who live in recovery. You, too, can choose this path of health and healing.

Instructions

• 1

  Ask yourself the following questions from a self-assessment chart based on the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) definition of addiction. Answer honestly, as this is just for you right now. Answer yes or no to every question:

  Have you experienced tolerance, where you need more of the substance to get the same effect?

  Have you gone through withdrawal when you stop using?

  Withdrawal may be of a physical nature, such as shakes, sweats or nausea. It can also involve emotional symptoms, such as irritability, depression or anxiety.

• 2

  Analyze your use of substances by continuing to answer questions from the APA self-assessment list. Do you have difficulty controlling your use? Include times you use more or longer than you wanted to, the times you drink to get drunk and the times you have wanted to stop after a few drinks or hits but found you could not. Have you suffered negative consequences due to your use? Some of these consequences could be due to your health, relationships, employment, mood or may include legal problems. Do you often neglect or postpone your activities, including social, work, household or recreational functions? Do you spend much of your time and emotional energy in thinking about, obtaining, planning, using, concealing or recovering from your use of a substance? Have you tried to quit or cut down on your use without success? Answering yes to at least three of the self-assessment questions suggests you meet the APA's definition of addiction.

• 3

  Seek information. If you met the definition of addiction when answering the APA's questions, you may want to take more self-tests. You can find these online. The best source of information may be obtained by stepping outside your comfort zone and contacting established support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. These 12-step groups offer information. More importantly, they offer support people who are willing to talk with you about your questions and concerns. These individuals are experts due to their own recovery.

• 4

  Talk to your doctor, or to someone specially trained in recognizing and treating addictions. This can be scary, since addiction thrives in secrecy and dishonesty. However, your doctor may have important information for you and may be able to open doors for treatment options. She is also bound to confidentiality laws about your treatment and diagnoses.

• 5

  Consider the following carefully. You will only stop using when you have suffered enough negative consequences. Have you suffered pain or regret due to your use of a substance or compulsive performance of an activity (gambling, sex)? Have you suffered legally, financially, emotionally, relationally or physically due to your use? The answer to these questions is the true test of addiction. If you have suffered, you at least have a problem. Luckily, this problem is one that with hard work and determination can be turned around into a full life lived in recovery.