Understanding Alcoholism and the Signs of Severe Drinking Problems

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionWhat Does Alcoholism Look Like?What’s Technically Considered Alcoholism?Is Alcoholism Genetic or Hereditary?TypesHow Is Alcoholism Treated?Lifestyle Changes

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Definition

What Does Alcoholism Look Like?

What’s Technically Considered Alcoholism?

Is Alcoholism Genetic or Hereditary?

Types

How Is Alcoholism Treated?

Lifestyle Changes

What Is the Official Definition of Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is a term that is sometimes used to describe what is known as an alcohol use disorder (AUD). The term alcohol use disorder is preferred today since the 2013 edition of theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-5) combined the two former categorizations of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence into a single diagnosis of alcohol use disorder.

Alcohol use disorderis considered a progressive disease, meaning that theeffects of drinking alcoholbecome increasingly more severe over time. Those who use alcohol may begin to show earlysigns of a problem. Taking analcoholism screening quizcan help you determine whether you have the symptoms of an alcohol use disorder.

Today, we know that the symptoms of alcoholism can vary from one person to the next. Because the condition is progressive, these symptoms may increase over time in terms of the number of symptoms, their severity, and their impact.

Early Symptoms

Early signs of alcoholism can include:

Other early signs of alcoholism include blackout drinking or a drastic change in demeanor while drinking, such as consistently becoming angry or violent.

Progressive Symptoms

Progressive symptoms ofalcohol abuseoccur when you continue to drink after your drinking reaches a level that causes recurrent problems. These symptoms can include:

Physical Signs of Alcoholism

Alcohol use can have physical effects. Some of the physical signs that can develop include:

Physical Symptoms of Alcoholism

The DSM-5 lists 11 symptoms of alcohol use disorder. In order to be diagnosed with AUD, a person must experience any two of these symptoms within the same 12-month period.

Press Play for Advice on Coping With Alcoholism

Previous definitions of alcohol dependence and alcoholism included having three of seven symptoms that included neglect of other activities, excessive use of alcohol, impaired control of alcohol consumption, the persistence of alcohol use, large amounts of time spent in alcohol-related activities, withdrawal symptoms, and tolerance of alcohol.

Alcohol Use Disorder Diagnosis

While the exact causes of alcoholism are not known, a number of factors can play a role. The condition is likely the result of a combination of genetic, social, psychological, and environmental factors.

Facts About Alcohol Misuse

In the DSM-5, alcohol use disorder is further classified into categories of mild, moderate, and severe.

Treatment for alcoholism often involves a combination of therapy, medication, and support. If you think you might have an alcohol use disorder or if you are worried that your alcohol consumption has become problematic, it is important to talk to your doctor to discuss your treatment options.

Best Online Addiction Support Groups

In addition to getting professional treatment and support, there are things that you can do to help feel better and improve your chances of recovery.

Keep in Mind

Alcoholism is a treatable disease, with many treatment programs and approaches available to support alcoholics who have decided to get help. Getting help before your problem drinking progresses to severe alcohol use disorder can save your life.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Morse RM. The definition of alcoholism.The joint committee of the national council on alcoholism and drug dependence and the american society of addiction medicine to study the definition and criteria for the diagnosis of alcoholism.JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association. 1992;268(8):1012-1014. doi:10.1001/jama.268.8.1012American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC. 2013.Cleveland Clinic.Alcoholism.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use disorder: A comparison between DSM–IV and DSM–5NIH Publication No. 13–7999. November 2013.Castillo-Carniglia A, Keyes KM, Hasin DS, Cerdá M.Psychiatric comorbidities in alcohol use disorder.Lancet Psychiatry. 2019;6(12):1068-1080. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30222-6Cleveland Clinic.Alcoholism: Management and treatment.

6 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Morse RM. The definition of alcoholism.The joint committee of the national council on alcoholism and drug dependence and the american society of addiction medicine to study the definition and criteria for the diagnosis of alcoholism.JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association. 1992;268(8):1012-1014. doi:10.1001/jama.268.8.1012American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC. 2013.Cleveland Clinic.Alcoholism.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use disorder: A comparison between DSM–IV and DSM–5NIH Publication No. 13–7999. November 2013.Castillo-Carniglia A, Keyes KM, Hasin DS, Cerdá M.Psychiatric comorbidities in alcohol use disorder.Lancet Psychiatry. 2019;6(12):1068-1080. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30222-6Cleveland Clinic.Alcoholism: Management and treatment.

Morse RM. The definition of alcoholism.The joint committee of the national council on alcoholism and drug dependence and the american society of addiction medicine to study the definition and criteria for the diagnosis of alcoholism.JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association. 1992;268(8):1012-1014. doi:10.1001/jama.268.8.1012American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC. 2013.Cleveland Clinic.Alcoholism.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use disorder: A comparison between DSM–IV and DSM–5NIH Publication No. 13–7999. November 2013.Castillo-Carniglia A, Keyes KM, Hasin DS, Cerdá M.Psychiatric comorbidities in alcohol use disorder.Lancet Psychiatry. 2019;6(12):1068-1080. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30222-6Cleveland Clinic.Alcoholism: Management and treatment.

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC. 2013.

Cleveland Clinic.Alcoholism.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use disorder: A comparison between DSM–IV and DSM–5NIH Publication No. 13–7999. November 2013.

Castillo-Carniglia A, Keyes KM, Hasin DS, Cerdá M.Psychiatric comorbidities in alcohol use disorder.Lancet Psychiatry. 2019;6(12):1068-1080. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30222-6

Cleveland Clinic.Alcoholism: Management and treatment.

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What Is the Official Definition of Alcoholism?#

Early Symptoms#

Progressive Symptoms#

Physical Signs of Alcoholism#

Press Play for Advice on Coping With Alcoholism#

Keep in Mind#