How can I tell if my parents are really alcoholics or if I am only imagining they are drinking too much? To gain more insight into your family's drinking ask yourself the following questions:

1. One or both of my parents have alcohol on their breath before 10 AM.

2. One or both of my parents do not bother to eat regular meals and drink instead.

3. One or both of my parents do not remember what they said or did or what happened to them after they slept off the effects of their drinking.

4. One or both of my parents do not spend time mixing cocktails or comment on how the drinks taste but gulp down many drinks straight.

5. One or both of my parents have to take a drink when asked to make a decision.

6. One or both of my parents, on occasion, stay intoxicated for several days.

7. One or both of my parents get intoxicated on working days.

8. I discover hidden bottles of alcohol in the most unlikely places in our home such as under a pillow, behind the couch, or in the bathroom.

If you reacted with a "yes" to one or more statements, you may have someone in your home with the symptoms of alcoholism and/or substance abuse.

EDITH LYNN HORNIK-BEER is the author of four books, including "For Teenagers Living With a Parent Who Abuses Alcohol/Drugs." She has written for the major magazines and newspapers both here and abroad, and for many years she had a syndicated newspaper column, The Young World. She has appeared on many television and radio shows such as Good Morning America, The Mike Douglas show and she has been invited to lecture at conventions and various colleges and universities including Long Island University and Chautauqua Institute.