Self-diagnosis of alcoholism: how to know when it’s time to see a doctor

In this article you will find different tests for alcoholism. You will also learn where and how to donate blood to determine your blood alcohol level.

Alcoholism is a painful addiction to alcohol and is considered a type of drug addiction. Alcohol can be compared to hard drugs (heroin or cocaine) in terms of danger. It is dangerous due to its toxicity and can damage internal organs and can be highly addictive.

Read an article on our website about the dangers of coding for alcoholism . It lists the most terrible consequences for humans.

In this article, you will learn why many people are ordered to take an alcoholism test, even if they hardly drink. Where can I take such a test? How to do it correctly? Read on.

Alcoholism is a chronic disease: signs in men and women, when should you take a test?

Alcoholism is a chronic disease
Alcoholism is a chronic disease characterized by the presence of addiction, which is similar to drugs. If a man or woman has at least one sign from the list, a preliminary diagnosis of chronic alcoholism can be made, and be sure to insist on taking the test:

When taking significant amounts of alcohol, the body does not vomit.
If a person starts drinking, he continues to do so until he “passes out.”
Cannot remember the next day what happened while drinking alcohol.
You definitely need to get a hangover.
A person may drink a lot of alcohol for several days in a row.
A person is not able to give up drinking alcohol even if he has urgent, important matters to do.

To understand the dangers of alcoholism, it is important to know its effect on the human body. Read on.

How does alcoholism affect human health?

Alcoholism has a detrimental effect on human health.
Alcohol has a detrimental effect on the body and destroys human health:

Diseases of the digestive and cardiovascular systems, depression and sleep disorders appear.
The brain, liver, heart, pancreas, and kidneys are affected.
Alcoholism is a common cause of many types of esophageal, liver, or breast cancer.

The risk of sudden death from stroke, heart attack, poisoning, road accidents, work-related injuries, and attacks by criminals increases.

How to determine the stage and degree of alcohol dependence?

The last stage, the degree of alcohol dependence
A man who abuses alcohol often does not admit that he has problems. Usually it is easier for them to accept a statement about their illness not from their relatives - their wife or mother, but from an independent source. Therefore, after answering questions about binges, hangovers, or regular lack of money due to alcohol abuse, he will think about his condition.

Alcoholism is a much more serious disease in women than in men. The situation is complicated by the fact that the woman hides her addiction until the last moment, because she does not want to be condemned by relatives and society. But the disease can be cured, the main thing is that the alcoholic herself admits the difficulties with self-control.

There are several stages and degrees of alcohol dependence:

Zero . A person at this stage can easily give up drinking alcohol. When drinking alcohol daily, addiction develops in men over a period of time from six months to a year, in women from three months to six months.
First stage . At this stage, mental dependence on alcohol occurs. The patient is in a constant state of need to drink alcohol. In case of overdose, there are no symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting. Typically, the first stage can last five years, after which it quickly moves into the second if appropriate measures are not taken in time.
The second stage occurs after prolonged abuse of alcohol in significant quantities. An alcoholic loses control over himself, behaves unpredictably and sometimes aggressively. This stage lasts from ten to fifteen years and leads to loss of personality, loss of abilities, both mental and creative.
During the third stage, irreversible processes occur in the patient’s body. Reduced sensitivity to alcohol. The functioning of the body's internal systems decreases. Moral character is lost. The patient completely forgets about the people who were once close to him and often falls into depression. There is a desire for suicide.

Therefore, it is so important to promptly identify alcohol addiction in a person. After all, in the initial stages it is easier to treat. Read about the tests that are carried out, as well as what tests are taken to detect the disease.

Test results

From 12 to 13 points.
Lack of predisposition to drunkenness. You can safely drink on holidays without causing significant harm to your health. But don't overuse it. It is always easy to cross the acceptable line. From 21 to 28 points. An alcohol test showed that you are in the second stage of addiction. The range of essential interests has narrowed. Almost everything you do comes down to drinking. At any opportunity, you cannot refuse an alcoholic drink. My health has deteriorated greatly recently. You need to urgently contact a psychologist or narcologist for qualified medical help.

From 14 to 20 points. You have a tendency towards alcoholism. This is its first stage. You can't always stop, you drink more and more each time. If no action is taken, after the first degree of alcohol dependence, the second will soon occur.

From 28 to 37 points. At the third stage of alcoholism, everything comes down to just finding money for drinks. Such patients are not tested for alcoholism. Chronic addiction can be determined by a person's appearance.

To determine the presence of addiction and its stage, it is recommended to seek diagnosis from a highly qualified narcologist.

Count how many affirmative answers you gave, after which you can safely analyze the situation.

No more than 2 points. Most likely there is nothing to worry about. The only time you had too much alcohol at a party was an isolated incident. Usually you know your dose and do not exceed it; you distinguish between the concepts of “drinking to relax” and “getting drunk.”
From 3 to 7 points. You have a penchant for alcohol. Due to your weak will, you have recently taken to drinking. Showing up at home drunk has become a tradition. Be careful! Avoid dubious companies and learn to behave confidently without alcohol.
From 8 points and above. It's time to raise the alarm. There is an alcohol addiction. Alcohol has become a daily necessity for you; without it, you feel insecure and depressed, and cannot relax and have fun. The help of specialists in the field of psychiatry and narcology is recommended. If you don’t stop in time, you will face social degradation and serious health problems.

Test for chronic alcoholism, stage: types of methods for determining blood alcohol

A test will help determine chronic alcoholism.
There are several types of tests for alcoholism, stage, showing the presence of ethanol in a person’s blood. They are usually used in road accidents and in preparation for operations. Here are the types of methods for determining blood alcohol:

Enzymatic
Gas chromatography
Widmark method

Breathalyzer test

If the mobile traffic police post does not have the necessary equipment, then an examination of alcohol intoxication can be carried out at the nearest post.

The procedure for examining drivers is as follows: the person being tested is provided with a new sealed mouthpiece, which is installed on the device, and a test analysis is carried out. To do this, take an air sample from the surrounding atmosphere. Naturally, the breathalyzer should show the complete absence of alcohol. If it shows even a small percentage of content, then either it is faulty, or its readings have been changed in order to falsify the data.

If the device’s functionality is confirmed, the driver exhales air from his lungs into it. Here the device will show the content or absence of alcohol in the air. The inspection rules allow for a re-inspection, but with an interval of no more than 20 minutes and with a new mouthpiece.

After the inspection, a report is drawn up, which includes all the factors and indicators of the examination for alcohol intoxication. The new rules for passing the examination contain clauses that the act is drawn up in triplicate, and all numerical indicators are also duplicated in letters. The driver is primarily interested in this, so he must make sure that all entered data is correct personally. 1 copy is left to the employees, 1 to the driver, and 1 is needed for filing in the archives.

If the device shows twice that there is alcohol in the exhaled air, and the driver categorically disagrees with this, then a special note about the driver’s disagreement with the test results and the requirement to schedule a medical examination for alcohol in a special institution must be included in the alcohol intoxication examination report.

Rules for taking blood to test for alcoholism: how long should you not drink?

Rules for taking blood to test for alcoholism.
Violation of the rules will lead to incorrect test results. Therefore, strict adherence to all procedures is required. There are rules for taking blood to test for alcoholism. There are blood sampling standards:

The laboratory worker must use sterile gloves.
Blood must be taken only from a vein.
The blood collection site must not be treated with alcohol-containing products.
Be sure to use two sterile tubes, one for control and one for sample.
Sealed tubes in a special container must be delivered to the laboratory.

How long should you not drink?

To obtain a negative result, you must abstain from drinking alcohol for at least fifteen days.

Because it takes more than two or two and a half weeks to restore normal TDS levels.

Grounds for examination

An examination for alcohol intoxication begins with a search for grounds. If a person is sure that he did not drink, then there is nothing to worry about. An alcohol test will give a negative result. The behavior and appearance of a driver subject to an alcohol test may include:

slurred speech;
distinct smell of alcohol;
redness of the facial skin;
inappropriate reactions;
wobbly stand.

Suspicion of any item from this list will be sufficient grounds for a traffic police officer to test for alcohol intoxication.

Blood test for alcoholism for men, women - test for alcohol dependence: the essence of the method

Blood test for alcoholism for men
There is another method - a blood test for alcoholism, showing the CDT marker . Used for analysis in men and women. This alcohol addiction test looks for signs of chronic alcohol dependence and predisposition to it. The essence of the method:

With the constant consumption of alcohol in the human body, a change in biochemical reactions occurs and a trace appears that remains in the body.
Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) is the most informative.
Transferrin is a protein involved in the movement of iron, found in blood serum.
With constant alcohol abuse, the number of protein molecules with fewer sialic acid residues in the blood increases.
Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin is a concentration of such forms.
The TDS level is determined by a blood test.

A single intake of alcohol, even in significant doses, does not change the protein content. This level increases only with prolonged drinking of alcohol for at least two weeks in approximately the following doses: one bottle of wine, 150 ml of vodka or one and a half liters of beer , that is, at least 60 ml of ethyl alcohol.

This test is used to determine the symptoms of chronic alcoholism. Read more below.

Test questions

Whatever the result, remember - this is only an approximate orientation, a hint. An accurate diagnosis and determination of the stage of alcoholism is the work of a doctor. Answer the questions “yes” or “no” - as honestly as possible, without thinking long about the answer. You may be offered the following options:

Stressful situations and minor troubles are a reason for you to drink;
you drink alone from time to time;
you usually don’t have enough alcohol on offer during the holidays;
in a non-drinking company you feel uncomfortable and bored;
you often become the initiator of “buying more alcohol”;
at events you have a glass clutched in your hand throughout the evening;
feel the urge to continue drinking at home after partying;
you do not see anything reprehensible in the constant use of alcohol;
It practically doesn’t matter to you what type of alcohol you drink;
you don't calm down until you've drunk all the available alcoholic drinks.

We suggest you read: Alcoholic hallucinosis: causes, symptoms and treatment

Explanation and reasons for high CDT

Deciphering and reasons for high CDT
It is not difficult to decipher the results of the CDT test:

A level of less than 1.3% is normal.
A level exceeding 1.6% indicates the appearance of the disease.
When the level is between these indicators, it indicates that it falls into the “gray zone”, the test must be repeated after three weeks.

The reasons for a high level of TDS may be:

Drinking alcohol in quantities equivalent to 60 milliliters or more of ethyl alcohol every day for a period of time - at least two weeks.
Genetic disorder of enzymatic glycosylation in blood serum.

In the latter case, more detailed tests are carried out that will confirm this, which means that the doctor will no longer be able to make a diagnosis of chronic alcoholism.

Can a CDT blood test result be a false positive?

A positive CDT blood test result may be false.
When tested on modern, highly accurate equipment, there is little room for error. The accuracy is more than 90% . But there is still a chance of getting a false positive CDT blood test result. There may be several reasons for this:

Pregnancy
Use of hormonal drugs
Hereditary disorder of galactose metabolism
Various severe liver diseases

Anemia will not affect the accuracy of the analysis, since the TDS content is calculated not in absolute values, but as a percentage of the total amount of transferrin.

Worth knowing: It is not recommended to prescribe only a blood test for SDT to people suffering from alcohol dependence, even despite its greater accuracy. It is necessary to complement testing with other studies to determine the exact picture.

Qualified DNA test for alcoholism: what is the essence of a genetic predisposition test?

Qualified DNA test for alcoholism
Today it is known that alcoholism itself is not inherited, but a predisposition to it is transmitted. The bottom line is that genetic predisposition tests identify a set of genes responsible for the absorption of alcohol and human behavior. Therefore, it is possible to determine the tendency to the disease and, if necessary, carry out preventive measures in time.

Predisposition to alcohol abuse is associated with genes that can be divided into:

Those involved in the breakdown of alcohol
Related to neuropsychological processes

A qualified DNA test for alcoholism can only be done in a hospital or drug treatment clinic. It is on its results that the further treatment of the addicted person depends.

Predisposition to alcoholism: myth or reality?

Traditional psychology insists that there are only 4 groups of reasons leading to addiction:

Hereditary. Gene mutations leading to drunkenness.
Social. Low level of well-being. Cultural environment and specific social features. Lack of ambitions and goals in life.
Physiological. Specific features occurring in the body.
Psychological. The problem of low self-esteem. Anxiety.

Testing helps to promptly identify problems in consciousness and perception of alcoholic beverages. In just a few minutes, you can identify a potential problem that will later cause serious consequences. You can take the test either yourself or under the supervision of loved ones. Each question is presented in the simplest possible terms.

Whatever the result, the person has taken a step towards a healthy life. He has already managed to break out of the framework of everyday life. Upon completion of the online diagnosis, an experienced psychologist will be able to provide a free consultation. He will help you choose the right strategy to get out of even the most impasse. Only a conscious desire will help you win the fight against alcoholism.

Michigan mast test for alcoholism: essence, what questions, how to pass?

Michigan mast test for alcoholism
Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST) - in simple words, as it is called - Michigan mast test . This is one of the oldest and most accurate tests for identifying alcoholism, the effectiveness of which reaches 98% . It was developed back in 1971 .

What is the essence, what questions, how to get through? MAST test has two features that distinguish it from other types of testing:

First difference:

Related to the number of questions.
It consists of 24 questions and requires concentration.
This makes it difficult to use in crowded places and with loud noise.
But this affects the greater accuracy of the result.

Second difference:

The questions on the test address issues that occur throughout the test taker's life.
This suggests the test is less accurate at detecting the disease at an early stage.
Therefore, it is very suitable for examinees who suffer for a long time, in addition, accuracy increases with age.

Here are the questions for this test:

Michigan mast test for alcoholism Michigan mast test for alcoholism Michigan mast test for alcoholism

Now count up the points. The total amount must not exceed 54 . More details:

0-4 points – no dependence on alcohol
5-7 points – suspicion of alcohol dependence
More than 7 points – you can safely make a diagnosis of “Alcoholism”

The test is simple and can easily be used to determine whether a person is dependent on drinks containing alcohol.

Alcohol and drug addiction, what is the difference

Alcohol, by the principle of its effect on certain structures of the brain, is the same narcotic substance related to psychoactive components, but it is not legally prohibited. Both drugs and alcohol have a destructive effect on brain tissue and internal organs.

How to determine alcohol dependence? Factors that indicate alcohol abuse, regardless of gender, are divided based on the stage of the disease.

Revealing the painful nature of cravings for alcohol.
Strengthening tolerance to drinks against the background of loss of the protective gag reflex.
Changes in the picture of intoxication (duration, character, decline of intoxication).
The presence of sluggish-apathetic depressive states in intoxication, hysterical reactions with suicide attempts.
Development of amnestic forms of intoxication.
Loss of situational and quantitative control.
A gradual transition to systematic drunkenness.
Loss of appetite, sleep disturbances.
Vegetovascular disorders.
Personality degradation (a person ceases to be interested in previous affairs).

An irresistible attraction to alcohol develops.
The formation of withdrawal syndrome with an acute need for hangover.
Periods of sobriety are accompanied not only by emotional but also physical discomfort.
Increasing tolerance to alcohol (from 0.5 to 1.5 liters of strong drinks per person). Small doses of alcohol do not have an intoxicating effect, but relieve withdrawal symptoms.
More serious signs of personal and psychological degradation are observed - anxiety, imbalance, irritability, aggressiveness, lack of will, frequent changes of motives and desires, narrowing of the worldview. The hangover clinic is getting worse.
Rapid exhaustion of strength from any exertion.
Unstable emotional state.
Memory deterioration, amnesia becomes long-lasting and protracted.
Episodic mental disorders - delirium, paranoid, hallucinosis.
Quantitative control of alcohol consumption has been completely lost.
Clearly formed withdrawal syndrome.

Most often, people with alcohol addiction experience degradation of a mixed type, when a person experiences not only intellectual, but also psychopathic disorders.

Rapid worsening of the hangover syndrome, an irresistible desire for a hangover.
Severe toxic encephalopathy.
Development of psychoses and epileptic seizures.
Tolerance to alcoholic beverages worsens, and a gag reflex may occur.
Systematic drunkenness, binges, daily alcohol abuse.
After taking even moderate doses of alcohol, a hangover syndrome develops.
The intellectual level and memory decline.
Complete degradation of personality, against the background of lethargy and apathy, a person is interested in alcohol.
Binge drinking, flowing into cyclical and periodic binges.

Additional signs of alcohol abuse in men:

At the mention of drinking, there is a general revival, and the person’s facial expressions become active.
Constant nervousness or bad mood.
Reflex signs when alcohol appears - salivation, swallowing movements.
No vomiting after heavy drinking.
Loss of memory of previous events.

We suggest you read: Psychocoding for alcoholism

Additional signs indicating alcohol dependence in women:

Untidyness, deterioration of appearance.
A woman begins to deceive her loved ones, becomes selfish and insincere.
There is a rude, aggressive, irritable behavior.
Ignoring family responsibilities, but possibly developing excessive care and fussiness.

The first and second stages of addiction are a serious threat to the health of the individual. A person addicted to alcohol needs to receive drug treatment to restore his mental and physical state. For the treatment of patients of the third stage, it is also advisable to involve drug treatment. however, the patient may need to be transferred to a clinical setting.

Take a free psychological test to determine alcoholism online: questions with answers

A free psychological test on the topic of determining alcoholism online can be taken on the website of Drug Treatment Clinics of the Russian Federation.
Now you can take a free psychological test on the topic of determining alcoholism online. These can be either universal types or testing for different genders and ages. Typically, they do not require registration to answer questions and receive results. Thanks to them, it is possible to determine the development of hidden signs of ethanol addiction.

The best test for alcohol dependence is on the website of Narcological Clinics of the Russian Federation . Write answers to simple questions, and in a couple of seconds you will get the result.

External signs of alcoholism

It is not necessary to take addiction tests. There are other ways to define it.

Psychological signs of alcoholism in women and men:

neglects the interests of people around him;
does not fulfill his duties (work, household chores, etc.), is irresponsible;
amoral behavior. There is no sense of duty, justice, decency;
family and social relationships are weakened;
no sense of will;
there are sudden mood swings;
manifestation of excessive aggressiveness towards others, constant irritation;
lack of logical thinking;
lack of interests, hobbies.

In addition to the behavior, the appearance of the alcoholic also changes. He is sloppy in his clothes. It can be worn even out of season. Hair is greasy and disheveled.

The patient develops circles under the eyes. The skin takes on an unhealthy tint. In addition to the sloppy appearance, disorder is also observed in the life of an alcoholic.

Test for beer and other types of alcoholism from WHO: the essence of the audit for alcoholism

A test for beer and other types of alcoholism from WHO can be taken on the official website.
Many people mistakenly think that beer does not cause harm. But beer is highly addictive, and also has a depressing effect on hormonal levels, leading to excess weight. The danger of beer is that a person can drink a lot at one time without noticing, since beer does not have a significant strength.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed the AUDIT test to determine alcohol dependence. It is a reliable measure of alcohol dependence and has been validated in a study on patients from six different countries. Scientists have proven the good effectiveness of the test, both for young and middle-aged people, and for elderly patients.

The essence of the audit test for alcoholism:

It includes ten questions and offering several (from three to five) different answer options.
Points are awarded for each answer.
Based on their sum, one can ultimately determine the presence or absence of dependence on alcohol.

You can take a test for beer and other types of alcoholism on the official WHO website using this link . Answer 10 questions correctly and within a couple of seconds, you will receive an answer about the presence or absence of alcohol dependence.

Alcoholism is an insidious disease. The main thing is to stop it in time. It is important to convince a person that he has a wonderful life ahead of him and that he has absolutely no need to drink. So get him tested and see a doctor. Or simply take your relative or friend to a narcologist so that the person can quickly get rid of his addiction. Good luck!

Determining Alcohol Abuse Using CDT

The main risk factor for developing alcohol dependence is the frequency and amount of alcohol consumed. An objective assessment of these factors allows us to determine the presence or absence of alcoholism and the severity of the disease. This is why a CDT alcohol test is performed.

For those who drink alcohol infrequently in moderate doses, the CDT level is within the normal range. Regular consumption of alcohol increases the rate. Considering that it takes at least 2-2.5 weeks for the SDT markers to disintegrate, in order for the test result to be negative, it is necessary to not drink alcohol for at least 15 days, which a chronic alcoholic is unlikely to do.

Complete abstinence from alcohol for a reliable test

The most suitable testing method is capillary electrophoresis . This method allows not only to assess the level of serum protein (WTP), but also to diagnose possible diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and liver, which develop, among other things, due to chronic alcohol consumption.

Due to the physiological characteristics of the female body, for representatives of the fair sex the results of an alcoholism test are slightly less reliable than for men.

Video: Test for alcohol dependence

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