Alcohol dependence (alcoholism) is the most severe alcohol use disorder. People who meet three or more of the following criteria within 1 year are diagnosed with alcohol dependence:
- Evidence of tolerance
- Needing to drink more to get intoxicated
- The effects of alcohol intoxication are reduced with continued use of the same amount of alcohol
- Symptoms of withdrawal
Examples of symptoms include sweating, nausea, vomiting, and anxiety
The symptoms must not be due to another medical condition and must cause problems at work or in your personal life - Repeatedly drinking more than intended
- Repeatedly unable to cut down or stop drinking, or a constant desire to do so
- Spending a lot of time drinking alcohol, recovering from the effects of alcohol, or obtaining alcohol
- Giving up other important activities for alcohol-related activities
- Drinking alcohol despite persistent or repeated physical or psychological problems
Alcohol abuse is a less serious, but still significant, alcohol use disorder. Alcohol abuse is diagnosed if there is a maladaptive pattern of use leading to one or more of the following problems within 1 year:
- Failure to fulfill role obligations due to repeated use of alcohol
- Examples include absences at work or school, neglect of responsibilities
- Recurring use of alcohol in hazardous situations
- Examples include driving under the influence or operating a machine while intoxicated
- Recurring alcohol-related legal problems
- Examples include alcohol-related arrests, alcohol-related disorderly conduct
- Continued alcohol use despite persistent or repeated interpersonal problems
- Examples include arguments about drinking behavior or physical fights
It may help to talk to an Alcoholics Anonymous member. Look in your local phone book for contacts or go to www.aa.org
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