Am I Drinking Too Much?

Signs of alcohol dependence — and where to start

Alcohol is woven so deeply into Australian life that it can be hard to tell when a habit has tipped into something heavier. If you’ve found yourself wondering about your own drinking, or worrying about someone you love, that question is worth taking seriously. This guide walks through the common signs, two simple self-checks you can do at home, and the options available when you’re ready for support.

Signs your drinking may have become a problem

Dependence rarely arrives all at once. It usually builds quietly, until habits that once felt ordinary start to take up more space. You might notice:

• Needing a drink to feel relaxed or comfortable, especially socially
• Reaching for alcohol to manage stress, anxiety or low mood
• Thinking about drinking throughout the day
• Needing more than you used to in order to feel the same effect
• Feeling shaky, sweaty, anxious, nauseous or unable to sleep when you haven’t had a drink
• Trying to cut back, but finding it doesn’t stick
• Carrying on despite the toll on your health, work or relationshipsLetting go of activities or responsibilities to make room for drinking

Recognising yourself in even one or two of these isn’t a verdict, it’s information. It simply means it’s worth understanding where you sit, and what might help.

Two simple self-checks

Two short, clinically validated questionnaires can give you a clearer picture. Neither is a diagnosis, but together they’re a useful starting point, and they’re the same tools a doctor would use.

AUDIT-C: a one-minute screen

The AUDIT-C (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) is three quick questions about how much and how often you drink. It takes about a minute and gives you a score out of 12.

• For men, a score of 4 or higher suggests potentially hazardous drinking
• For women, a score of 3 or higher may indicate problematic use
• Higher scores mean a greater risk of alcohol-related harm

It’s designed to flag a problem early, often before dependence has set in.

SADQ: a closer look at dependence

If you already suspect alcohol has a hold, the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ) goes deeper. Its 20 questions look back over the past six months at things like withdrawal symptoms, morning drinking and how much alcohol occupies your thinking, giving a score from 0 to 60:

• Under 16 — generally lower dependence (advice is still worthwhile)
• 16 to 30 — moderate dependence, where structured support helps
• Above 30 — more severe dependence that needs proper medical care

Think of your score as a guide for a conversation with a doctor, not a final answer in itself. Both questionnaires are free to download at the bottom of this page.

What your results might mean

A higher score doesn’t point to a single path. What matters is that, once you’re physically dependent on alcohol, stopping suddenly and on your own can be genuinely risky, which is exactly why support makes such a difference.

How AIR Health Clinic can help

We’re a GP-led telehealth service supporting people to address their drinking from home, anywhere in Australia. Whichever path suits you, our care includes:

• A doctor-led plan built around your situation
• Regular check-ins and medication support where it’s appropriate
• A clear aftercare plan to help you hold onto your progress
• Warm, non-judgemental support from start to finish