How Can I Tell If I Have a Drinking Problem Before Contacting A.A.?

Updated

If you are not sure whether your drinking is a problem, aa.org offers a Self-Assessment you can take before reaching out to anyone. It is designed for exactly this situation: people who are uncertain, curious, or worried but not ready to make contact. The assessment is not a diagnosis and does not commit you to anything — it is a starting point to help you decide whether A.A. might be relevant for you.

What the Self-Assessment Is (and Is Not)

The site presents the Self-Assessment under the heading "Not sure you have a problem?" — placed directly alongside the main message that A.A. has a solution for people whose drinking is out of control.

  • It is a self-guided tool to help you look at your own drinking honestly.
  • It is not a medical or clinical diagnosis.
  • It is not a requirement for contacting A.A. or attending a meeting.

The purpose is orientation, not labeling. If the questions resonate with your experience, that is useful information. If they do not, that is also useful information.

Who the Assessment Is For

The aa.org homepage explicitly lists several visitor types in its "I Am..." selector, which tells you who the site is built to serve:

If you are... The site offers...
Looking for help with a drinking problem Self-Assessment, meeting finder, newcomer resources
An A.A. member Service committees, member resources, literature
Trying to help a family member or friend Guidance on recognizing a drinking problem in someone else
A professional working with alcoholics Resources for legal and corrections professionals

So the assessment path is not only for the person drinking. If you are worried about someone else, the site also addresses that directly: "If someone you care about has a drinking problem, A.A. might have a solution for them."

How to Use the Assessment to Decide

  1. Go to aa.org and look for the "Not sure you have a problem?" link near the main "Need help with a drinking problem?" section.
  2. Answer the questions honestly. The value depends on your willingness to be straightforward with yourself.
  3. Notice your reaction. If you find yourself minimizing, justifying, or feeling uncomfortable, that reaction itself may be worth paying attention to.
  4. Decide your next step. The assessment leads naturally to two options: learn more about A.A. (What is A.A., The Big Book, 12 Steps & 12 Traditions, FAQ), or find a meeting near you.

What Happens After the Assessment

The site does not push you toward one outcome. It offers parallel paths:

  • Learn More About A.A. — What is A.A., The Big Book, 12 Steps & 12 Traditions, Frequently Asked Questions, Recommended Resources.
  • Find A.A. Near You — a locator that accepts state or province, town or zip code, and distance in miles.
  • Hear members share about recovery — video content including "Sobriety in AA: When Drinking is no longer a Party" and "Sobriety in AA: Since getting sober, I have hope."

You can explore any of these without contacting anyone. The "Contact A.A. Near You" option exists if and when you want to talk to someone.

A Practical Note on Timing

A.A. describes its program as "one alcoholic helping another" and says it has been helping alcoholics recover for more than 80 years. The assessment is simply the front door for people who are not yet sure they qualify for that help. There is no threshold you must cross before looking. If you are asking the question, the assessment is there for you.