Test-Addicted? | Marilyn Freimuth, PhD

Are You Concerned You Might Have an Addiction?

Note: We do not track the results of this test or IP addresses of those who take the test. It is completely private.

Whatever the behavior, refer to it when filling in the blanks below.

For each question, answer "yes" or "no".

	Yes	No
1. I often experience a buzz of excitement while I am ________.
2. I rarely think about ________ when I am not doing it.
3. I tend to want to spend increasing amounts of time ________.
4. When I am not ________, I often feel agitated.
5. I never miss meals because of my ________.
6. I often fail to get enough sleep because of my ________.
7. Arguments have sometimes arisen at home because of the time I spend ________.
8. My social life has sometimes suffered because of my ________.
9. ________ has sometimes interfered with my work.
10. I have made unsuccessful attempts to reduce the time I spend ________.

A total score of 5 or more suggests that this behavior is becoming addictive.

Just because you scored less than 5 does not mean you are worry free.
A score of 3-4 indicates that you find this behavior to be "highly engaging." Highly engaging behavior can become addictive. Pay attention to this behavior.
Even if you scored only 2, you may be at risk for becoming addicted if these two points came from questions 4-10.
For more on how to recognize if this behavior is an addiction, distinguish it from a habit, and prepare to change, see the book ADDICTED? Parts 1 and 3.

Based on a study of computer addiction conducted by Charlton(2002). British Journal of Psychology, 93, 329-44.