How can a person get help for an alcohol problem?
This is the first section of a five part series on alcohol, alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction. For more information on alcohol see your doctor, a certified addiction medicine physician, or a certified addiction counselor. What is alcoholism? Like diabetes, high blood pressure or arthritis, alcoholism is a life long disease. Like these and many other diseases, alcoholism is chronic, meaning that it lasts a person’s lifetime. Alcoholism usually follows a predictable course. It has well defined symptoms, including relapse. Physicians diagnose alcoholism if three or more of the following criteria are met during a twelve month period. 1. Tolerance. The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get “high.” 2. Physical dependence. Signs or symptoms of alcohol withdrawal occur when alcohol is not consumed. 3. Loss of control. Alcohol is taken in larger amounts or for longer than intended. 4. Craving. A persistent desire to use or unsuccessful attempts to quit occur. 5. Time. Progressively
