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am i addicted ?

 Not sure if you're addicted? This test can help you find out...

What are your answers?

    1. Do you ever do drugs alone?
    2. Have you ever substituted one drug for another thinking that only one drug was the problem?
    3. Have you ever manipulated or lied to a doctor to get prescription drugs?
    4. Have you ever stolen drugs or committed a theft to get drugs?
    5. Do you regularly take a drug when you wake up or when you go to sleep?
    6. Have you ever taken a drug to reverse the effects of another drug?
    7. Do you avoid people or places that don't encourage you to use drugs?
    8. Have you ever taken a drug without knowing what it was and what the effect would be on you?
    9. Has your work or school performance ever suffered from the effects of your drug use?
    10. Have you ever been arrested for using drugs?
    11. Have you ever lied about what and how much you take?
    12. Do you prioritize your drug purchases over your financial obligations?
    13. Have you ever tried to quit or control your drug use?
    14. Have you ever been to jail, hospital, detox, or drug therapy for your drug use?
    15. Is your drug use interfering with your sleeping and eating habits?
    16. Does the thought of running out of drugs scare or panic you?
    17. Do you feel like it's impossible for you to live without drugs?
    18. Do you ever doubt your sanity?
    19. Does your drug use make your life at home miserable?
    20. Ever thought you couldn't fit in or have fun without drugs?
    21. Have you ever felt justified, guilty, or ashamed of your drug use?
    22. Do you often think about drugs?
    23. Have you ever had irrational or unexplained fears?
    24. Has using drugs affected your sexual relationships?
    25. Have you ever taken drugs you didn't like?
    26. Have you ever taken drugs for emotional pain, stress, bullying, or depression?
    27. Have you ever overdosed on drugs?
    28. Do you continue using drugs despite the negative consequences?
    29. Do you think you might have a drug problem?

Only you can tell if you are addicted

"Am I addicted?" - this is a question only you can answer!

It doesn't really matter how many of these questions you answered "yes." Much more important is how you feel inside and how taking drugs affects or has affected your life.

Some of these questions don't even mention drugs. That's because we think of addiction as a disease that affects all areas of life—even those that seem unrelated to drugs at first glance. The different drugs we take are not that important. Rather, it is about why we take them and the consequences this has on our lives.

For many of us it was difficult at first to admit that we are addicts.

If you approach these questions honestly, they can help you visualize how your life has become unhinged as a result of your use of drugs - whether it's "just" internally or your external life is falling apart as well. Maybe the drugs have stopped working the way you want them to. Maybe the addiction destroyed your pride, your confidence, your family; maybe it takes away loved ones and even the desire to live. You decide when it's enough and if you want to seek help!

Text and questions adapted from pamphlet #7 “Am I Addicted?” Copyright © 1994 by Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

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