How can I tell if I've got an alcohol or drug problem?

One of the symptoms of alcoholism or drug addiction is that people are certain they don't have it! So the lack of ability to make an accurate self-assessment is built right into the disease.

A simple tool to help you determine whether you have a problem...
It's what's known as the '4 L's'. These refer to Liver, Lover, Livelihood and Legal - or four areas of your life including your physical health, your relationships, your work and any legal consequences where symptoms might show up.

Take a minute to think about it.

1. Liver
Health needn't just be about your actual liver. are there other physical side effects you are experiencing? Have you injured yourself while out of it? Has a doctor recommended you cut down for any reason?

2. Lover
In your relationships with partner, children, parents or friends. has your drinking led to some negative consequences? Arguments or hostility? Have you perhaps lost a good friend or partner because of something which related to your using? Do people close to you sometimes have to lie to cover for you? Are your children affected?

3. Livelihood
This really refers to your work or family responsibilities. Are there times you've failed to be where you're meant to be or do what's expected of you because you are drunk, hungover or out of it? Have you had a warning at work or done something stupid at a company function? Even if no one else knows, is your drinking or drug use affecting your day-to-day work? Holding you back from being at your best?

4. Legal
This one is fairly obvious. It's about things like DIC's, or being busted for drug-related crime. Sometimes drinking makes people much more hostile than they ordinarily are and violence might be an issue. Sometimes it's just about doing something illegal or dishonest - even if you weren't caught.

In summary, if you have experienced difficulty in any one or more of these four areas because of your drinking or drug use, you may have a problem.
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