Grey Area Drinking Test: Find Your Stage

Question 1 of 9.

Who are you taking this for?MyselfSomeone I’m worried about

Question 2 of 9.

Where are you with alcohol right now?

Why I ask

Where you are today decides which questions come next. There’s no wrong answer.

I drink, and I’m not thinking about changing it.I drink, and I’ve been wondering what life would be like without it.I drink, and I’ve decided to stop. I’m working out when.I’ve cut back a lot, and I’m deciding whether to stop completely.I’m taking a break, like a dry month.I’ve stopped drinking.I stopped for a while, and now I’m drinking again.I’m not sure.

How long ago did you stop?Less than a month.One to six months.More than six months.I’m not sure.

How much of that do you think comes from drinking?

Why I ask

This only shows up if you picked something above. It helps me tell a passing rough patch from a pattern.

None of it. It’s stress, age or work.Some of it, maybe.A lot of it.Drinking is in the middle of all of it.I’m not sure.

Have you tried rules, like only weekends or only two drinks?No, I haven’t needed to.Yes, and they mostly hold.Yes, and they keep slipping.I’m done with rules. I want a clean line.I’m not sure.

Have you picked a date to stop?No.I’ve thought about one, but nothing’s set.Yes, I have a date.I’ve set dates before, and they keep moving.I’m not sure.

Who knows you’re thinking about this?

Why I ask

It tells me who is in your corner. It doesn’t change your stage.

Nobody.Someone close has noticed.I’ve told one or two people.I’ve told the people who matter most.I’m not sure.

See the questions first

Where are you with alcohol right now?
How long ago did you stop?
On how many days a week do you usually drink?
Which of these have you noticed in the last month? Pick all that apply.
How much of that do you think comes from drinking?
Have you tried rules, like only weekends or only two drinks?
How often do you think about not drinking?
Have you picked a date to stop?
Who knows you’re thinking about this?

Grey area drinking test FAQ

What is grey area drinking?

Grey area drinking is the space between social drinker and alcoholic. You may not drink in a way that looks like a problem from the outside, but you keep wondering about it. Read the full guide.

Is this test a diagnosis?

No. It’s a self-check, not a medical or clinical assessment. If you’re worried about withdrawal or your health, talk to a doctor before you stop.

What happens after I get my stage?

You see your stage on screen right away, with no name or email needed. Each stage has its own page: Visualization, Identity Drift, Compounding Friction, Decision Point, and Retirement.

Take the 90-second test