Dear Ann Landers,
illions of housewives in this country would be shocked if someone called them alco-holics. But they are. Members of the Kansas City-area National Council On Alcoholism have prepared a ques-tionnaire (with help from the Michi-gan chapter), and we want to give it as much exposure as possible. We hope you'll print it. Here are 20 questions. Any woman who answers "Yes" to more than half is probably alcoholic. Do you try to get someone to buy liquor for you because you are shamed to buy it yourself? Do you buy liquor at different places so no one will know how much you purchase? '3) Do you hide the empties and dispose of them secretly? Do you plan in advance to "re-ward" yourself with a little drinking bout after you've worked very hard in the house? Are you often permissive with your children because you feel guilty about the way you behaved when you were drinking? Do you have "blackouts," pe-riods about which you remember noth-ing? Do you ever phone the hostess of a party the next day and ask if you hurt anyone's feelings or made a fool of yourself? THE ANN LANDERS ENCYCLOPEDIA 55 Do you find cigaret holes in your clothes or the furniture and can't re-member when it happened? Do you take an extra drink or two before leaving for a party when you know liquor will be served there? Do you often wonder if anyone knows how much you drink? Do you feel wittier or more charming when you are drinking? Do you feel panicky when faced with nondrinking days, such as a visit to out-of-town relatives? Do you invent social occasions for drinking, such as inviting friends for lunch, cocktails or dinner? When others are present, do you avoid reading articles or seeing movies or TV shows about women al-coholics but read and watch when no one is around? Do you ever carry liquor in your purse? Do you become defensive when someone mentions your drinking? Do you become irritated when unexpected guests reduce your liquor supply? Do you drink when under pres-sure or after an argument? Do you try to cover up when you can't remember promises and feel ashamed when you misplace or lose things? Do you drive even though you've been drinking but feel certain you are in complete control of your

DEAR D. AND J.,
Thank you. And now a word from me to those of you who flunked. These self-help groups have proven more successful than psy-chiatry, religion or medical help. Mil-lions have found sobriety through their camaraderie and mutual support. You can, too. Get going. According to a 1977 in-depth study, the areas with the most severe alco-holism problems are: Alaska District of Columbia Hawaii California Washington The states with the fewest: Iowa Minnesota Nebraska South Dakota North Dakota 56 THE ANN LANDERS ENCYCLOPEDIA Advice for the Wife of an Alcoholic DOCTOR'S WIFE ASKS HELP FROM AL-ANON