Никогда не читайте совковую прэссу , особенно на ночь!Exams and TestsThose at risk for developing alcoholism include:    * Men who have 15 or more drinks a week    * Women who have 12 or more drinks a week    * Anyone who has 5 or more drinks per occasion at least once a week(One drink is defined as a 12-ounce bottle of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a 1 1/2-ounce shot of liquor.)All doctors should ask their patients about their drinking. The health care provider can get a history from the family if the affected person is unwilling or unable to answer questions. A physical examination is done to identify physical problems related to alcohol use.The following questions are used by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to screen for alcohol abuse or dependence:    * Do you ever drive when you have been drinking?    * Do you have to drink more than before to get drunk or feel the desired effect?    * Have you felt that you should cut down on your drinking?    * Have you ever had any blackouts after drinking?    * Have you ever missed work or lost a job because of drinking?    * Is someone in your family worried about your drinking?If you are worried that drinking may be becoming a problem for you, warning signs can be:    * Being drunk more often, particularly when needing to be on good form the next day.    * Taking the day off because of a hangover.    * Having accidents, domestic arguments or injuries because of drink.    * Getting into trouble because of drinking - fights, drinking and driving.    * Doing something you would not otherwise have done after drinking and regretting it.    * Drinking more than you planned to in an evening. If these are only isolated incidents you may just need to think more carefully about reducing the number of drinks you have and when you decide to have them. However if many of the other signs given below apply, you may be getting into a pattern of problem drinking.    * Thinking a lot about when you can next have a drink    * Gulping your first drink quickly.    * Being conscious of how often you are the first person to finish a drink.    * Having more than the occasional hangover.    * Needing to have a drink before doing things or facing certain situations.    * Feeling sick, having the shakes, sweating in the morning or middle of the night.    * Spending more than you can afford on alcohol.    * Ordering doubles when it's your round.    * Often feeling that you need a drink.    * Increase in arguments and rows at home over drink.    * Being annoyed if others mention your drinking or your behaviour when you were drunk.    * Other people telling you that they are worried about your drinking.    * Feeling secretly uncomfortable about your drinking.    * Drinking when alone.    * Deliberately hiding the evidence of your drinking (lying about money, hiding drink and empty alcohol containers).    * Starting to drink at times when you didn't before and earlier in the day. You are likely to have a definite problem with alcohol or have become addicted if you:    * Have to increase the amount you drink to maintain the same effect.    * Always wake up with the shakes and feeling sweaty.    * Need a drink to start the day.    * Drink large quantities over the course of the day without it making you drunk.    * Feel uncomfortable if you don't have a drink at hand.    * Lie about your drinking.    * Are covering up your drinking and the costs of it. Tips for cutting downFirst start by working out what you drink in a week by reviewing the last week. If it is difficult to remember keep a daily note for the next week. Note all the drinks, how many units in each, the times of day and where you were. If this is a typical week, your notes should give you a good idea about whether you are drinking too much and, importantly, the situations in which you drink and whether it's going to be hard to cut down.Some things that others have found useful for cutting down include:    * Going out a bit later or just having your first drink later    * Replacing some of your drinks with non-alcoholic or low alcohol drinks.    * Switching your usual drink to one with less alcohol in it.    * Avoiding the quick drink situation - missing out the one at lunchtime or after work can make a huge difference over the week.    * Having at least two alcohol free days - taking up a new interest, sport or just going to the cinema if you find most of your social life is involved around the pub.    * Drinking longer drinks - beer rather than spirits and drinking more slowly.    * If you drink at home, buying beers and wines with lower alcohol content could make a great difference.    * Decide a limit of no more than, say, 5 units on any one occasion.    * Buy smaller glasses for the home or buy a drinks measure.    * Keep a supply of non-alcoholic alternatives for drinking at home and entertaining.    * Tell others you are cutting down and avoid rounds.    * Finding other ways of relaxing - exercise or relaxation techniques for example.    * If you anticipate a heavy evening, avoid drinking on an empty stomach and make sure someone else is driving.