What is the difference between a heavy drinker and an alcoholic?

Heavy drinking is a quantity threshold (NIAAA defines it as 14+ drinks/week for men, 7+ for women). Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is defined by behavioural and physiological criteria, specifically, the loss of control over drinking, continued use despite negative consequences, and/or physical dependence. A heavy drinker may not have AUD, someone can drink less but still meet AUD criteria through compulsive use patterns and loss of control.

Can you be addicted to alcohol and not know it?

Yes, this is common. Alcohol use disorder develops gradually, and the denial and minimisation that accompany it are features of the condition, not character flaws. Physical dependence can develop slowly over years without a recognisable tipping point. Many people discover they have physical dependence only when they try to stop and experience withdrawal symptoms they didn't expect.

What are the physical signs of alcohol addiction?

Physical signs of alcohol addiction include: tolerance (needing more to achieve the same effect), withdrawal symptoms when stopping (tremors, sweating, anxiety, elevated heart rate, nausea), waking up and needing a drink to feel normal, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice, indicating liver damage), frequent nausea or vomiting, unexplained bruising (poor clotting from liver dysfunction), facial redness from dilated capillaries, weight changes, and disturbed sleep patterns.

When is drinking a problem?

Drinking becomes a problem when it causes harm, to health, relationships, work performance, finances, or safety, and when that harm doesn't stop the behaviour. Specific thresholds: regularly drinking more than intended, drinking in situations where it's unsafe (driving, pregnancy), continuing despite a doctor advising you to stop, missing work or responsibilities due to drinking, or morning drinking. Any of these suggest a pattern that warrants honest assessment.

What should I do if I think I'm addicted to alcohol?

First, speak to a doctor before stopping abruptly, alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures in people with physical dependence. A GP can assess your level of dependence, discuss medications that reduce cravings (naltrexone) or make drinking aversive (disulfiram), refer to specialist services, and supervise medically assisted detox if needed. Concurrently, consider peer support, AA and SMART Recovery both have strong evidence. Starting a sobriety tracking app immediately after your quit date improves outcomes.

What is the CAGE questionnaire for alcohol addiction?

CAGE is a 4-question screening tool: (C) Have you felt you should Cut down on drinking? (A) Have people Annoyed you by criticising your drinking? (G) Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking? (E) Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning as an Eye-opener? Two or more yes answers indicate likely alcohol use disorder and warrant clinical assessment. It's widely used in primary care because of its simplicity and sensitivity.

Can you be addicted to alcohol without drinking every day?

Yes. Binge-pattern drinkers who consume heavily on weekends but not daily can meet DSM-5 criteria for alcohol use disorder. The diagnostic criteria focus on loss of control, continued use despite consequences, and craving, not daily frequency. Binge drinking (4+ drinks in 2 hours for women, 5+ for men) produces similar neurological changes to daily heavy drinking over time and carries its own overdose and health risks.

What are the DSM-5 criteria for alcohol use disorder?

The DSM-5 lists 11 criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD). 2-3 criteria = mild AUD, 4-5 = moderate, 6+ = severe. The criteria: (1) drinking more or longer than intended, (2) wanting to cut down or stop but not being able to, (3) spending a lot of time drinking or recovering, (4) strong craving or urge to drink, (5) drinking interfering with work, school, or home responsibilities, (6) continuing to drink despite causing relationship problems, (7) giving up activities because of drinking, (8) drinking in physically hazardous situations, (9) continuing to drink despite knowing it worsens a physical or mental health problem, (10) tolerance (needing more to get the same effect), (11) withdrawal symptoms when not drinking. Screening yourself against these criteria gives a more objective picture than subjective feelings about your drinking.

Can functioning alcoholics recognize they have a problem?

Functioning alcoholics, people with alcohol use disorder who maintain jobs, relationships, and appearances, are often the last to recognize their problem, for several reasons: no obvious external consequences (the main signal most people use), denial (a neurological and psychological feature of addiction, not simply lying), comparison to 'real alcoholics' (the stereotyped version), and cognitive effects of chronic alcohol use that impair self-assessment. Signs a functioning alcoholic often misses: needing alcohol to feel 'normal' each evening, mounting tolerance, defensive reactions when drinking is mentioned, planning daily activities around drinking, and the first drink often happening earlier in the day. Feedback from family and friends is often more accurate than self-assessment.

What are early warning signs of alcohol addiction?

Early warning signs of alcohol addiction: drinking more than you planned on more than an occasional basis, making excuses to have a drink (reward, stress relief, social lubricant for every occasion), frequently thinking about when you'll have your next drink, feeling anxious or irritable when alcohol isn't available, regularly drinking until intoxicated rather than stopping at one or two, hiding how much you drink from others, and needing a drink to get to sleep regularly. These early signs often predate the more obvious consequences by years. Addressing them early (when AUD is still mild) leads to significantly better outcomes than waiting for crisis.

Does alcohol addiction run in families?

Yes, genetics account for approximately 50% of alcohol use disorder risk. Children of people with AUD are 4-7 times more likely to develop AUD themselves. This risk comes from multiple genetic pathways: variations in alcohol metabolism genes (ADH and ALDH) that influence how alcohol feels, dopamine and serotonin system genes that affect reward sensitivity, and genes related to impulsivity and stress reactivity. However, genetic risk is not destiny, environment, early exposure, trauma history, and coping skills all significantly modify risk. Family history is important clinical information: knowing you have elevated risk should prompt earlier, not later, self-monitoring and professional consultation if drinking patterns change.

What physical signs does alcohol addiction cause?

Physical signs of alcohol addiction: visible tremor (hands shaking, especially in the morning before drinking), facial redness or broken capillaries on nose and cheeks (rosacea-like), unexplained bruises from falls or injuries while intoxicated, morning sweating, alcohol smell earlier in the day, bloodshot or yellowed eyes, weight changes (either loss from not eating, or gain from caloric intake of alcohol), deteriorating physical appearance, poor coordination or balance, and signs of liver disease in advanced cases (jaundice, abdominal swelling). Many physical signs are absent in early-to-moderate AUD, their absence doesn't mean addiction isn't present.

How does alcohol addiction affect the brain?

Chronic alcohol use produces measurable, progressive brain changes. GABA/glutamate system: alcohol enhances GABA (inhibitory) and suppresses glutamate (excitatory), with chronic use, the brain compensates by upregulating glutamate and downregulating GABA, creating a state of neurological excitability that underlies withdrawal and seizure risk. Dopamine system: chronic alcohol dysregulates the reward pathway, reducing dopamine sensitivity (tolerance, anhedonia) and creating powerful learned associations between alcohol cues and reward. Structural changes: shrinkage of the prefrontal cortex (impulse control, decision-making) and hippocampus (memory), reduced white matter integrity. Most changes are at least partially reversible with sustained abstinence, the brain has significant neuroplasticity.

What is considered heavy drinking?

NIAAA defines heavy drinking as: for men, more than 4 drinks on any single day OR more than 14 drinks per week, for women, more than 3 drinks on any single day OR more than 7 drinks per week. Binge drinking is defined as consuming enough to raise blood alcohol to 0.08 g/dL, typically 4+ drinks in 2 hours for women, 5+ for men. Heavy drinking is a significant risk factor for alcohol use disorder, but not all heavy drinkers have AUD. The distinction is whether drinking meets the 11 DSM-5 criteria for AUD (loss of control, continued use despite consequences, withdrawal, etc.). Heavy drinking without AUD can still cause serious health consequences and warrants reduction.

How do I confront someone about their alcohol addiction?

Confronting someone about alcohol addiction: choose a sober, calm moment (not during or immediately after drinking), use specific behavioral examples, not labels ('I'm worried when you drive after drinking' rather than 'you're an alcoholic'), express concern for them personally, not judgment, don't issue ultimatums you're not prepared to follow through on, have information about treatment options ready, expect denial, it's normal and not necessarily the end of the conversation, and consider a professional intervention with a trained addiction counselor (ARISE or Johnson Intervention models) for complex situations. Al-Anon is also specifically for family members, learning CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) significantly improves the chances of the person entering treatment.

What health problems does alcohol addiction cause?

Alcohol addiction causes damage across virtually every organ system. Liver: fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer. Cardiovascular: cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, hypertension, increased stroke risk. Nervous system: peripheral neuropathy, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (thiamine deficiency encephalopathy), seizures, dementia. Gastrointestinal: gastritis, pancreatitis, esophageal varices, GI bleeding, increased colon cancer risk. Immune system: impaired immune function, increased infection susceptibility. Endocrine: sexual dysfunction, hormonal disruption. Mental health: depression, anxiety, psychosis (alcohol-related). Cancer: mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, breast, and colon cancers, alcohol is a Group 1 carcinogen. Many health effects are reversible with sustained abstinence, particularly in the earlier stages.

Is blackout drinking a sign of alcoholism?

Blackout drinking, where alcohol impairs memory formation during drinking episodes, is a serious warning sign. Blackouts occur when blood alcohol rises rapidly and impairs the hippocampus, preventing memory consolidation. While blackouts can occur in non-dependent drinkers who drink quickly or on an empty stomach, frequent blackouts indicate: regularly drinking to very high blood alcohol levels, possible accelerated tolerance development, and are associated with significantly higher risk of alcohol use disorder, alcohol-related injury, and sexual assault victimization. Frequent blackouts are one of the clearest early warning signs of developing alcohol addiction, they should be taken seriously, not normalized as part of drinking culture.

What resources help with alcohol addiction?

Resources for alcohol addiction: Alcoholics Anonymous (aa.org), free, worldwide, peer support, SMART Recovery (smartrecovery.org), science-based alternative, SAMHSA National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357, free and confidential 24/7, Psychology Today therapist finder for addiction specialists, medications (naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram, all require a prescription, naltrexone is the most evidence-based for craving reduction), and telehealth services (Ria Health, Workit Health, Monument) that provide medication prescriptions, coaching, and monitoring remotely. Recovery apps like Forge provide streak tracking, craving SOS tools, and daily accountability. Combining medication + behavioral support + community produces significantly better long-term outcomes than any single approach.

Signs You're Addicted to Alcohol: 11 Warning Signs of AUD

Q: How do I know if I'm an alcoholic?

The clinical term is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), not 'alcoholic'. The DSM-5 criteria include 11 signs across 3 severity levels (mild: 2-3 signs, moderate: 4-5 signs, severe: 6+ signs). Key indicators: drinking more than intended, failed attempts to cut back, continuing despite relationship or health consequences, needing more alcohol for the same effect, and experiencing physical or psychological withdrawal when stopping. Two or more of these in the past year indicates AUD.

Q: What is the difference between alcohol abuse and alcoholism?

These terms come from older diagnostic frameworks. Current clinical terminology uses 'alcohol use disorder' (AUD) on a spectrum from mild to severe. What used to be called 'alcohol abuse' maps roughly to mild-to-moderate AUD, problematic drinking that causes harm but without full dependence. 'Alcoholism' mapped to severe AUD with physical dependence. The spectrum model is more accurate because alcohol problems exist on a continuum, there is no sharp binary between 'alcoholic' and 'normal drinker.' This matters clinically: people with mild-moderate AUD also benefit from intervention, and waiting for 'true alcoholism' before seeking help leads to worse outcomes.

Quick AnswerAlcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is diagnosed by 11 criteria from the DSM-5, 2 or more in the past year indicates AUD (mild: 2–3, moderate: 4–5, severe: 6+). The clearest signs are: drinking more than you intended, failed attempts to cut back, continuing despite relationship or health consequences, needing more for the same effect, and withdrawal symptoms when stopping. If you experience withdrawal symptoms, don't stop abruptly, see a doctor first.

Most people who have a drinking problem don't call themselves alcoholics. They call themselves social drinkers who drink too much sometimes. Or people who stress-drink. Or who just like wine at the end of the day.

The question of whether drinking has become an addiction is not a moral one. It's a clinical one. Alcohol Use Disorder has specific, measurable criteria, and knowing them lets you assess your own situation accurately, without shame getting in the way.

⚠️ Important: If you drink heavily every day, do not stop abruptly without speaking to a doctor first. Alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures in people with physical dependence. This article is for information, not a substitute for medical assessment.

How AUD Is Diagnosed: The DSM-5 Criteria

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) defines Alcohol Use Disorder by 11 criteria. Meeting 2 or more within the same 12-month period qualifies as AUD. The severity is determined by how many criteria are met: mild (2–3), moderate (4–5), or severe (6 or more).

These aren't abstract concepts. They're questions about real patterns in your actual drinking life.

SIGN 1

Drinking more, or longer, than you intended

You planned to have two drinks. You had six. You planned to stop at 9pm. It was 1am. The gap between the intention and the reality is one of the clearest early signs that alcohol is running the show rather than you running it.

SIGN 2

Wanting to cut down but not being able to

Have you told yourself you'd drink less, many times, and found yourself back to the same pattern within days or weeks? The specific criterion here is not just wanting to cut down but failed attempts to do so. The inability to follow through on your own decision is the diagnostic signal.

SIGN 3

Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, or recovering from alcohol

This includes: making sure you always have alcohol at home, planning social events around drinking opportunities, the mornings lost to hangovers, the days you couldn't function. When alcohol takes up significant mental real estate and physical time, that's a criterion.

SIGN 4

Craving or strong urges to drink

Strong, frequent urges to drink, at specific times of day, in specific contexts, when stressed or bored, indicate that the brain's reward circuit has been conditioned around alcohol. These cravings are neurological, not character flaws.

SIGN 5

Drinking causing problems at work, school, or home

Missing work or showing up impaired. Arguments with a partner about drinking. Neglecting children or responsibilities. When alcohol causes real-world problems in major life domains, and you continue drinking anyway, that's a core criterion.

SIGN 6

Continuing to drink despite relationship problems it causes

A partner, parent, or close friend has expressed concern or given you an ultimatum about your drinking. You continue. This criterion captures the compulsive override of social consequences, a hallmark of addiction across substances.

SIGN 7

Giving up important activities because of alcohol

Hobbies, social activities, time with family, things you valued before, have been reduced or dropped because they interfere with drinking, or because you're too hungover to participate. When alcohol progressively replaces life, that's a criterion.

SIGN 8

Drinking in physically hazardous situations

Driving while intoxicated. Drinking while pregnant. Drinking while operating equipment. Combining alcohol with medications that make it dangerous. The willingness to risk physical safety for alcohol is a significant diagnostic signal.

SIGN 9

Continuing to drink despite knowing it's causing health problems

Your doctor has told you that your liver is affected, your blood pressure is elevated, your sleep is destroyed, your mental health is compromised, and you continue drinking. This criterion captures compulsive continuation despite clear evidence of harm.

SIGN 10

Needing more alcohol to get the same effect (tolerance)

What used to produce a significant effect now barely registers. You drink substantially more than you used to just to feel the same way. Tolerance is a marker of physical neuroadaptation, the brain has restructured itself around the presence of alcohol.

SIGN 11

Withdrawal symptoms when you stop or cut down

Tremors. Sweating. Anxiety. Elevated heart rate. Nausea. Seizures (in severe cases). If stopping or reducing alcohol produces physical symptoms, particularly if you need a drink in the morning to feel normal, that is physical dependence, and it is the clearest indicator that medical support is needed before attempting to stop.

The CAGE Test: A Quick Self-Screen

The CAGE questionnaire is one of the most widely used brief screens for alcohol problems. Four questions:

Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking?
Have people Annoyed you by criticising your drinking?
Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking?
Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover (Eye-opener)?

Two or more "yes" answers indicate a likely alcohol problem that warrants further assessment. It's not a diagnosis, it's a signal to take the question seriously.

What to Do If You Recognise These Signs

If you have physical dependence symptoms (Sign 11): See a doctor before stopping. Alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures in people with significant physical dependence. A doctor can assess your risk and, if needed, prescribe medication (typically a benzodiazepine taper) to make withdrawal safe. This is not optional if you drink heavily every day.

If you have several signs but no physical dependence: A conversation with a GP is still the right first step. Medication options exist that significantly improve quit rates, naltrexone reduces craving and the rewarding effects of alcohol, acamprosate reduces the discomfort of abstinence. Both are significantly underused.

For anyone: Support structure matters enormously. AA has the strongest peer evidence base and is free. SMART Recovery offers a secular, CBT-based alternative. A streak tracking app starting on your quit day builds the daily accountability that research consistently links to better outcomes.

Recognising the signs is the first move. Most people who recognise them clearly, rather than managing around them with rationalisation, are ready to do something about them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the early warning signs of alcohol addiction?

Early signs include: drinking more than intended most times you start, thinking about drinking throughout the day, using alcohol specifically to manage stress or emotions, tolerance increasing (needing more to get the same effect), defensive or irritable when your drinking is mentioned, and organizing activities around drinking access. Early-stage AUD is easier to address than late-stage.

What is the difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction?

The DSM-5 replaced the separate categories of 'abuse' and 'dependence' with a single spectrum, Alcohol Use Disorder (mild, moderate, severe). Abuse implies problematic drinking without full dependence, addiction implies loss of control and physical dependence. For practical purposes: abuse = drinking causes problems but you can stop, addiction = you can't consistently stop despite wanting to.

How many drinks per day is considered alcoholism?

There's no universal threshold. The NIAAA defines heavy drinking as: men, more than 4 drinks on any day or more than 14 per week, women, more than 3 drinks on any day or more than 7 per week. But addiction is defined by behavioral criteria (loss of control, continued use despite consequences) rather than quantity alone. Some people meet addiction criteria at lower quantities.

Can you be an alcoholic and still function normally?

Yes, 'high-functioning alcoholism' describes people who maintain jobs, relationships, and apparent normalcy while drinking problematically. However, this label is somewhat misleading: functioning alcoholics typically have subtle deterioration in multiple areas, are often drinking in secret, and are at significant risk of rapid deterioration. The 'functional' status is often temporary.

What are the 11 criteria for alcohol use disorder?

DSM-5 criteria for AUD (2+ needed in 12 months): 1) Drinking more than intended. 2) Failed attempts to cut back. 3) Large time spent obtaining/drinking/recovering. 4) Craving. 5) Role failures (work, home). 6) Social/relationship problems from drinking. 7) Giving up activities for drinking. 8) Drinking in hazardous situations. 9) Continuing despite health problems. 10) Tolerance. 11) Withdrawal.

What are signs of alcoholism in a family member?

Signs to watch for: drinking before events (pre-loading), hiding alcohol or concealing how much they drink, personality/mood changes that correspond with drinking or not drinking, defensive reactions when drinking is mentioned, promises to cut back that aren't kept, morning drinking, drinking alone regularly, and multiple occasions of drinking more than they intended.

Is shaking after drinking a sign of alcoholism?

Morning tremors (shaking when alcohol wears off) are a sign of significant physical dependence. This is withdrawal. The nervous system becomes hyperexcitable without alcohol suppressing it. If someone experiences tremors, sweating, or nausea when not drinking and finds relief when they drink, this indicates moderate-to-severe AUD requiring medical evaluation before stopping.

What are the behavioral signs of alcohol addiction?

Behavioral signs: lying about how much you drink, drinking in secret, hiding bottles, driving after drinking, continuing to drink after others have stopped, 'needing' a drink to feel comfortable in social situations, drinking at unusual times (morning, at work), drinking to cope with every negative emotion, and neglecting hobbies or relationships in favor of drinking.

How do I know if I'm an alcoholic?

The CAGE questionnaire is a simple screen: C, felt you should Cut down? A, people Annoyed by criticism of your drinking? G, Guilty about your drinking? E, needed a drink as an Eye-opener first thing? Two or more 'yes' answers strongly suggest an alcohol problem. The AUDIT-C is another validated 3-question screen. Being honest with yourself and your doctor is key.

What physical signs indicate alcoholism?

Physical signs that may be visible: broken blood vessels on the face (spider angiomas), reddened skin especially on the nose, unexplained weight changes, jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes in liver disease), puffy face from inflammation, trembling hands, and in severe cases: swollen abdomen (ascites), loss of muscle mass, and peripheral neuropathy (tingling hands/feet).

What are the emotional signs of alcohol addiction?

Emotional signs: using alcohol to manage every difficult emotion, increased anxiety and depression (both made worse by alcohol long-term), emotional numbing, difficulty feeling pleasure without alcohol, shame and hiding behaviors, impulsivity and poor emotional regulation especially when drinking, and significant mood swings tied to alcohol availability.

What are signs of alcohol withdrawal that indicate serious addiction?

Withdrawal signs indicating serious physical dependence: tremors within 6–24 hours of last drink, sweating and elevated heart rate, anxiety and agitation, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, and in severe cases at 48–96 hours: seizures or delirium tremens (confusion, hallucinations, fever). Any withdrawal symptoms warrant medical evaluation before stopping.

How does denial work in alcohol addiction?

Denial is not conscious lying, it's a protective psychological mechanism. The addicted brain minimizes evidence of a problem, compares to 'worse' drinkers, rationalizes ('I only drink beer,' 'I never drink before 5pm'), and genuinely doesn't perceive behavior that others find obvious. This is why external observation from loved ones and a doctor's objective assessment are important alongside self-evaluation.

What are the signs that someone's drinking is getting worse over time?

Escalation signs: needing more alcohol to achieve the same effect (tolerance), drinking earlier in the day, drinking daily when it used to be occasional, hiding or minimizing consumption, increasing consequences with continued drinking (health, work, relationships), morning drinking, and failed attempts to cut back that were once successful.

What happens if alcohol addiction is left untreated?

Untreated AUD typically progresses: increasing tolerance, dependence, and health consequences. Medical complications develop over years: liver disease (fatty liver → hepatitis → cirrhosis), cardiovascular damage, neurological effects, increased cancer risk, and eventual medical crisis. Social consequences compound: relationship breakdown, financial ruin, job loss. Mortality from AUD, through liver disease, accidents, and suicide, is significant.

What does 'functioning alcoholic' mean?

A high-functioning alcoholic maintains external markers of success (job, family, appearance) while having significant alcohol use disorder. This term is somewhat misleading. Most functioning alcoholics have subtle performance deterioration, drink secretly, experience health impacts, and are at high relapse risk. Functioning status is typically temporary, AUD tends to progress without treatment.

Can a doctor tell if you're an alcoholic from blood work?

Yes, several blood markers can indicate heavy alcohol use: elevated GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase), elevated AST/ALT liver enzymes, elevated MCV (mean corpuscular volume, alcohol affects red blood cell production), elevated carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT), and elevated BAC on routine tests. These markers normalize with sustained abstinence. A doctor can use these alongside clinical assessment to identify AUD.

What is tolerance and why does it indicate addiction?

Alcohol tolerance, needing more alcohol to achieve the same effect, is one of the 11 DSM-5 AUD criteria and an important warning sign. It indicates the brain and liver have physically adapted to alcohol's presence, requiring higher doses to produce the same effect. Tolerance development is a biological marker of dependence developing. People with high tolerance are at greater medical risk when they do stop drinking.

Are there different types of alcoholism?

Yes, researchers have identified subtypes. The Babor typology distinguishes Type A (later onset, fewer complications, less severe) from Type B (earlier onset, family history, more psychiatric comorbidity, more severe). The Cloninger typology describes Type 1 (anxiety-driven, adult onset) and Type 2 (impulsive, male-predominant, early onset). Understanding subtype helps personalize treatment, though DSM-5 focuses on severity rather than type.

What is the AUDIT screening tool for alcohol?

The AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) is a 10-question validated screening tool developed by the WHO. It assesses quantity and frequency of drinking, dependence symptoms, and harmful consequences. Scores 0–7: low risk, 8–15: harmful use, 16–19: harmful or dependent use, 20+: likely dependent. Your doctor can administer it, or you can find it online as a self-screening tool.

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Sources

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). Washington DC: APA, 2022.
Grant BF et al. Epidemiology of DSM-5 alcohol use disorder. JAMA Psychiatry. 2015, 72(8):757-766. PMID 26039070
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcohol Facts and Statistics. niaaa.nih.gov