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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffA doctor who suspects you might have an alcohol problem will ask you a number of questions regarding drinking habits and may have you fill out a questionnaire. The doctor may ask for permission to speak with family members or friends. Family members may also contact the doctor on their own to discuss their concerns. However, confidentiality rules prevent your doctor from giving out any information about you without your consent.
There are no specific tests to diagnose alcoholism, but you may need other tests for health problems that may be linked to your alcohol use.
To be diagnosed with alcoholism, you must meet criteria spelled out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DMS), published by the American Psychiatric Association.
The criteria required for a diagnosis of alcoholism include a pattern of alcohol abuse leading to significant problems, as indicated by three or more of the following at any time during one 12-month period:
- Tolerance, indicated by an increase in the amount of alcohol you need to feel intoxicated. As alcoholism progresses, the amount leading to intoxication can also decrease as a result of damage to your liver or central nervous system.
- Withdrawal symptoms when you cut down or stop using alcohol. These can include tremors, insomnia, nausea and anxiety. You may drink more alcohol in order to avoid those symptoms.
- Drinking more alcohol than you intended or drinking over a longer period of time than you intended.
- Having an ongoing desire to cut down on how much you drink or making unsuccessful attempts to do so.
- Spending a good deal of time drinking, obtaining alcohol or recovering from alcohol use.
- Giving up important activities, including social, occupational or recreational activities.
- Continuing to use alcohol even though you know it's causing you physical and psychological problems.
- Gold MS, et al. Screening for and diagnosis of alcohol problems. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 29, 2010.
- Kelly JF, et al. Alcohol-related disorders. In: Stern TA, et al: Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier. 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/192040318-6/0/1657/241.html?tocnode=57542852&fromURL=241.html. Accessed March 29, 2010.
- FAQs about alcohol. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm. Accessed March 29, 2010.
- FAQ for the general public. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/FAQs/General-English/default.htm. Accessed March 29, 2010.
- Hall-Flavin DK (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 31, 2010.
- Helping patients who drink too much: A clinician's guide. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Practitioner/CliniciansGuide2005/guide.pdf.
- Alcohol dependence. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed March 29, 2010.
- Common questions about diet and cancer. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_3_2X_Common_Questions_About_Diet_and_Cancer.asp. Accessed March 29, 2010.
- Gold MS, et al. Psychosocial treatment of alcohol abuse and dependence. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 29, 2010.
- Warne D. Alcoholism and substance abuse. In: Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elseveier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/192038080-3/0/1494/129.html?tocnode=54115695&fromURL=129.html. Accessed March 29, 2010.
- Make a difference: Talk to your child about alcohol. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/MakeADiff_HTML/makediff.htm. Accessed March 29, 2010.
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