Recognizing a Problem with Alcohol

If you are concerned about a friend's drinking, go to How to help a friend.

If you are concerned about yourself, read the following statements and keep track of how many times they apply to you.

Drinking Patterns

• It is difficult for you to stop drinking after you've had one or two drinks.
  
• When you drink, you always wind up drunk.
  
• Even after your friends say they've had enough alcohol, you want to continue drinking.
  
• You turn to certain "drinking buddies" or to a specific environment when you drink.
  
• You crave a drink at a specific time every day, like after class or after work.
  
• When you're out with friends, you sneak a few drinks without their knowledge.
  
• A significant part of your day is spent obtaining, consuming, or recovering from the effects of alcohol.
  
• You sometimes have a drink to help you fall asleep.
  
• You sometimes stay drunk for several days at a time.
  
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After Drinking

• The day after drinking, you have trouble remembering what you did while you were under the influence.
  
• You sometimes feel guilty about your drinking.
  
• You've done something sexual while you were under the influence of alcohol that you later regretted.
  
• You always have a hangover or headache after you've been drinking.
  
• When you're sober, you regret things you said or did while you were drinking.
  
• After drinking, you have experienced severe anxiety, shaking, or visual or auditory hallucinations.
  
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Consequences

• Drinking has caused you to be late for class or work.
  
• Your performance at school or work has suffered because of your drinking.
  
• You have gotten into an argument or a fistfight while you were drinking.
  
• Your drinking has led to financial difficulty.
  
• You have neglected your classes, job, family or other obligations for two or more days in a row because you were drinking.
  
• You have been arrested for intoxicated behavior or driving under the influence of alcohol.
  
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Drinking and Emotions

• When you're in a social situation and no alcohol is provided, you feel uncomfortable.
  
• You use alcohol as an escape when you're angry, disappointed, or otherwise upset.
  
• Your personality is altered when you consume alcohol.
  
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Family and Friends

• Your family or friends have expressed concern about your drinking.
  
• You get irritated when your family or friends want to discuss your drinking.
  
• You have lost a friend or created a rift with a family member based on their feelings about your drinking.
  
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You've tried to change

• You've promised yourself to slow down or stop drinking, but you can only keep the promise for a few days or weeks at a time.
  
• You have tried switching from one kind of alcohol to another in an effort to cut down or remain in control of your drinking, or to try to avoid getting drunk.
  
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If you answered yes to 4 of the above, you may have a problem with alcohol or have the potential to develop one. Examine your habits honestly. Patterns of heavy drinking in college could lead to a more serious problem down the road. You can reduce your drinking with some of the ideas listed in Ways to Cut Down.

If you answered yes to 5 or more of these statements, there's a strong chance that you frequently misuse and abuse alcohol. NOW is the time for you to change your drinking patterns and behaviors. The habits you develop in college can continue and worsen throughout your life. The resources below can help you; all of Brown's resources are free and confidential.

(Adapted from Facts on Tap.)

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Resources at Brown


Emergency response available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Click here to find out what happens when you call EMS.

Dean of Chemical Dependency, Kathleen McSharry 401.863-2536
The Dean of Chemical Dependency provides comprehensive academic and social support in non-clinical settings for Brown students, faculty and staff affected by alcohol or drug abuse. Click here to contact her by email.

Confidential appointments for drug or alcohol concerns. Located on the third floor of Health Services.

Confidential walk-in or appointment health care. Located at the corner of Brown and Charlesfield streets.

Early Sobriety Group
A group for students in recovery. Click here to contact the Dean of Chemical Dependency, Kathleen McSharry, for more information.

Confidential appointments and groups for adult children of alcoholics (ACOA). Located on the second floor of Rhode Island Hall.

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Resources in Providence

Confidential and anonymous twelve-step recovery program for people with drinking problems. Meetings near Brown: 5:00pm Mondays and 5:30pm Thursdays in the Common Room of Alumnae Hall. For more meetings and information, click here to go to the AA web site. Some groups listed are specifically for young people.


Confidential and anonymous twelve-step recovery program for people with drug problems. Meeting near Brown: 7:30pm Thursdays, Commons Room of Alumnae Hall. For more meetings and information, call the number or click on the link above.

Confidential and anonymous twelve-step program for friends and family members of people with drinking problems. Some groups are specifically for adult children of alcoholics (ACOA). Al-Anon meetings near Brown: 12-1pm on  Tuesdays and Thursdays at St. Stephen's Church Parish House (on George Street between Brown and Thayer).Click above for more information about Al-Anon and Alateen, or click here for online Al-Anon groups. For other meetings in Rhode Island, click here.

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Disclaimer: Health Education is part of Health Services at Brown University. Health Education maintains this site as a resource for Brown students. This site is not intended to replace consultation with your medical providers. No site can replace real conversation. Health Education offers no endorsement of and assumes no liability for the currency, accuracy, or availability of the information on the sites we link to or the care provided by the resources listed.  Health Services staff are available to treat and give medical advice to Brown University students only. If you are not a Brown student, but are in need of medical assistance please call your own health care provider or in case of an emergency, dial 911.  Please contact us if you have comments, questions or suggestions.

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last modified: February 26, 2008