These Six Questions Could Determine Whether You Have An Alcohol Problem

Scientists believe the questions could establish whether a person suffers from a drinking problem or is at risk of one.

University of Leicester researchers examined 17 alcohol studies to determine whether one or two questions could establish if someone has a drink problem.

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The team, led by Alex Mitchell, a consultant in psycho-oncology, found that the two questions below allowed them to correctly identify alcohol abuse in 87.2% of cases.

The questions also identified those without a problem in almost 80% of cases.

And the study, which was published in the British Journal of General Practice, also revealed that the questions produced results of 90.9% accuracy when combined with four follow-up queries.

The first two questions:

- How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion?

- As a result of your drinking or drug use, did anything happen in the last year that you wish didn't happen?

The follow-up questions are based on the CAGE questionnaire developed in 1984.

Answering yes to two or more questions may indicate that you have an alcohol problem.

Do these apply to you?

- Have you ever felt you needed to cut down on your drinking?

- Have people annoyed you by criticising your drinking?

- Have you ever felt guilty about drinking?

- Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?