Do you think you may have a problem with alcohol? Are you worried that your drinking is hurting your health, your career, or your relationship with others? Though there are no cut-and-dried ways to determine if you actually have alcohol dependence, there are some signs you can look for that can help you determine if you need to get some with your drinking.

If you’re asking ‘Am I an alcoholic?’, consider examining your life and looking for these four warning signs. 

Sign 1: You Regularly Feel Remorse or Guilt About Your Drinking 

Whether you drink every night of the week or just indulge too much during the weekends, a sign that you may have a problem is if you regularly feel guilt or remorse after a drinking session. Maybe you feel guilty that you weren’t fully present in the moment while you were drinking or you feel remorse that you chose drinking over another, more important activity. Whatever your reason, these feelings are a sign you may need to get help.

Sign 2: You Start Drinking in the Morning or Early Afternoon 

If you regularly feel you need a drink to get your day started or to try to get over the hump from last night’s hangover, you may have alcohol dependence. While having a drink or two in the morning or afternoon every once in a while—such as on vacation—is usually not a cause for concern, it could be a problem if you find yourself doing this on a weekly or even daily basis. 

Sign 3: Your Loved Ones Have Asked You to Change Your Drinking 

Your family, friends, and other loved ones may notice you have a problem before the question of ‘Am I an alcoholic?’ ever enters your head. Has your spouse asked if you’ll drink less or stop drinking altogether? Do family members make sure you know you need to watch your drinking when you come over for family dinners or other get-togethers? Have your friends expressed concern with your drinking habits? These can all be signs that you may have a problem. 

Sign 4: You’ve Developed Alcohol-Related Health Conditions 

If alcohol has begun to affect your health and you continue drinking in the same manner, you likely have an alcohol dependence problem. There are a range of health concerns that can be tied to drinking including pancreatitis, stomach ulcers, different types of cancers, digestive problems, high blood pressure, and fatty liver disease or cirrhosis. Even feeling hungover on a regular basis is a health condition that should clue you in to a possible problem with alcohol.

Am I An Alcoholic? An Honest Look 

If you’re asking yourself ‘Am I an alcoholic?’, it’s likely that you have some level of alcohol dependence. If you think you need help changing your relationship with alcohol, consider going to a therapist or treatment center that specializes in treating alcohol dependence. With either in or outpatient treatment, you can confront your problem head-on and start making a change in your life before your dependence has disastrous effects on your health, relationships, or overall well-being.