Why Do You Drink? If you drink, why do you do so? To relax or unwind? To enhance states of pleasure? To get high or intoxicated? Because others are drinking? To help you cope with problems in your life? People drink for a variety of reasons. To increase your awareness of the reasons why you use alcohol, respond to the following items by selecting T if an item is true or mostly true for you or F if an item is false or mostly false for you.

T F 1. I find it unpleasant to do without alcohol for some time.

T F 2. I like the taste of what I drink.

T F 3. I feel more relaxed and less tense about things when I drink.

T F 4. Drinking makes me feel depressed.

T F 5. When in comes to drinking, I am able to control my behavior better than most people.

T F 6. If I go without a drink for some time, I am not bothered or uncomfortable.

T F 7. I find I have a drink for the taste alone.

T F 8. I see things more clearly when I’ve been drinking.

T F 9. I get a real gnawing hunger for a drink when I haven’t had one for a while.

T F 10. I find drinking pleasurable.

T F 11. My friends tell me that I’m more fun when I’m drinking

T F 12. When I’m out of alcohol, I immediately buy more.

T F 13. A drink or two enhances the pleasures of sex and food.

T F 14. I feel more caring and giving after having a drink or two.

T F 15. When I run out of alcohol, I find it almost unbearable until I can get more.

T F 16. I like the high of drinking.

T F 17. I’ll have a drink when I feel blue or want to take my mind off my problems.

T F 18. There have been times when it’s been rough to get through the day because I wanted a drink.

T F 19. My mood is much better after I’ve been drinking.

T F 20. When I drink, the future looks brighter to me.

T F 21. I usually have a drink or two with dinner.

T F 22. I drink to appear more grown up and more sophisticated.

T F 23. Sipping wine is part of my religious tradition.

T F 24. I drink so that I will fit in better with the crowd.

T F 25. I have a drink as part of my religious ceremonies.

T F 26. When I think about the future and what I’m going to do, I often have a drink.

T F 27. If my friends don’t drink, I don’t drink.

T F 28. I like to go out for a drink when I’ve gotten a good grade.

T F 29. I drink at fraternity or sorority parties.

T F 30. When a friend and I have done something well, we’re likely to have a drink or two.

T F 31. I like to drink more on festive occasions.

T F 32. I feel like I have more influence on people when I’ve had a drink or two.

T F 33. Sometimes, when I have a few drinks, I can’t get to work.

© 2

013

by C

enga

ge L

earn

ing

Inc.

All

Rig

hts R

eser

ved.

continued

H e a l t H C H e C k 7 - 1

T F 34. I can do better socially and sexually after having a drink or two.

T F 35. I have a drink before a big test if I’m worried about how well I’ll do.

T F 36. I’ve found a drink in my hand when I can’t remember putting it there.

T F 37. I have a drink when I get together with family.

T F 38. I would have done much better on some things if it weren’t for alcohol.

T F 39. I worry less about things when I drink.

T F 40. I feel much more powerful when I have a drink.

T F 41. I have a drink when some problem is nagging at me.

T F 42. Drinking makes me feel like I fit in.

T F 43. Having a drink keeps my mind off my problems at home, school, or work.

T F 44. I am not responsible for the things I do when I have been drinking.

T F 45. A drink or two relaxes me.

T F 46. Things look better when I’ve had a drink or two.

T F 47. I have a drink when a toothache or some other pain is disturbing me.

T F 48. Sometimes, I pour a drink without realizing I have one that is unfinished.

T F 49. I have a drink before a date or interview when I’m worried about making a good impression

Key: Why do you drink? Score the questionnaire by counting how many items you answered in the direction consistent with the reasons for drinking given in the following key. The more items you answer in the indicated direction, the stronger the factor applies to your particular drinking pattern. For example, if you answered several items in the direction given by the Anxiety/Tension Reduction factor, you should seriously consider whether you are using alcohol to relieve anxiety or tension. If so, you may wish to consider making non-drug alternative choices when you are feeling anxious or tense.

Addiction (Items answered in the following direction suggest physiological dependence on alcohol.)

Anxiety/Tension Reduction Pleasure/Taste

Transforming Agent (Answers suggest using alcohol in the attempt to change your experiences for the better.)

1. T 3. T 2. T 4. F

6. F 17. T 7. T 8. T

9. T 26. T 10. T 11. T

12. T 35. T 13. T 14. T

15. T 39. T 16. T 20. T

18. T 41. T 19. T 42. T

43. T 46. T

45. T

47. T

continued

H e a l t H C H e C k 7 - 1 , c o n t i n u e d

Social Reward CelebrationReligious Significance

Social Power (Answers suggest using alcohol to achieve social power.)

22. T 28. T 23. T 32. T

24. T 30. T 25. T 34. T

27. F 31. T 40. T

29. T 37. T

Scapegoating (Answers suggest using alcohol as an excuse for failure or misconduct.)

Habit (Answers suggest drinking out of habit.)

5. T 21. T

33. T 36. T

38. T 48. T

44. T

49. T

H e a l t H C H e C k 7 - 1 , c o n t i n u e d