Ninety percent of all people with an alcohol problem live a seemingly normal life. They have a normal job, their family are still together and are seemingly well looked after. They have not tangled with the law and are still in good health.

Research has revealed that 87% of the white population of this country consumes alcohol and only between 6% and 7% of them develops alcohol dependency.

Alcohol dependency is a progressive condition and any person who has the potencial to develop this problem can expect to develop serious physical, psychological and emotional problems.

Alcohol dependency is a result of a dangerous drinking pattern. By using the following questionaire you can determine to what extend your drinking pattern is safe or unsafe. You can also calculate your weekly alcohol consumption.

1. Attempt to deny or evade problem
2. Attempt to control or eliminate problem
   • Tries different methods of keeping it under control
   • Increased social isolation
3. Disorganisation
   • Spouse / family develops "what's the use" - loses hope
   • No communication between substance dependent and rest of family
   • Responsibilities of family members are confused roles changes
   • Blame and guilt feelings increase
4. Attempts to re-organise
   • Spouse / family assumes responsibility pay bills, take over
   • Treats substance dependent as a child, must look after him
   • Settling down and returning to stability
5. Efforts to escape the problem
   • End of marriage
   • Spouse / family struggle with all kinds of social, religious, familial and environmental conflicts
   • Breaking point
6. Re-organisation of family
   • Substance dependent recovers painful process involving uncertainty

The risk of serious health problems increases with increased alcohol consumption. Any person who consumes at the rate of 20 to 30 bottles / cans of beer or one and a half to two bottles of spirits on a weekly basis, is in danger of developing cirrhosis of the liver or certain types of cancer. With a furhter increase of alcohol consumption the health risk further increases, especially if the person smokes.

To calculate the risk associated with your own drinking pattern, complete the following table. The alcohol content of the different amounts is almost the same.

How many of the different types of alcohol do you consume a week?

Bottles / cans of beer (340ml)

Double tots of hard liquor (50ml) (Whisky, Gin, Rum Brandy)

Glasses of sherry or port (100ml)

Glasses of table wine (200ml)

Calculate the total. If your total is more than 20, you are drinking too much and are facing a serious health risk and you are exposing youself to the danger of developing alcohol dependancy

To determine if you already have the early symptoms of alcohol dependency please answer the following questions.

Symptoms of early stages of alcohol dependency

It is well-advised to determine the early symptoms of alcohol dependency in order to timeously break the consumption pattern. Answer "yes" or "no" to the following questions.

1. I often use alcohol to calm my nerves (to help me relax or sleep better)
2. I often drink more than I want to
3. Presently I drink more than I have been drinking in the past
4. Drink does not have the same effect on me as in the past
5. I spend more time and money on alcohol than I should
6. My marriage partner and/or friends have recently become more worried about my drinking
7. I am inclined to play my drinking habits down. In other words, I pretend that I drink less than I actually do or that the problems associated with my drinking are not so bad
8. Since I have started to drink more people have problems communicating with me
9. Sometimes I force myself to stop drinking in order to prove to myself that I am still in controll of alcohol
10. During a drinking session my memory becomes impaired - to the extend that I cannot remember everything clearly the following morning.

Signs of progressive alcohol dependency

It is well known that alcohol dependency follows a progressive pattern, and that a person with a problem will, in time,develop all the symptoms of the dependancy. Answer "yes" or "no" to the following questions to determine the seriousness of your condition.

1. I have lost time at work because of my drinking habits
2. My drinking causes health problems
3. I have had a craving for a drink the following morning
4. After a binge I feel ill and shaky the next morning
5. I have or can uniterruptedly drink for a number of days.
6. I have resigned from my work or have been asked to resign or have been threatened with discharge because of my drinking.
7. My marriage partner has threatened with a divorce if I do not stop drinking

What is you alcohol IQ score?

If you have answered "yes" to more than two of the questions you have a serious alcohol problem

Experience has proven that 85% to 90% of people who find themselves in this situation need help

Alcohol dependency is not a condition that will improve with promises and good intentions. Specialised treatment is required.

Discuss your problem with you doctor, minister or telephone Stabilis Treatment Centre (012) 333-7702