When Do You Have Alcohol Dependence?

Alcohol abuse and dependence are generally accepted as two clinical alcohol use disorders with symptoms that are currently defined by the American Psychiatric Association DSM-IV standards.

Dependence is based on evidence of tolerance to alcohol, symptoms of withdrawal, and reduced control over drinking. Abuse is generally defined by four criteria: (1) hazardous use, (2) failure to fulfill major role obligations, (3) continued use despite socialor interpersonal problems, and (4) legal problems.

Diagnosis as a dependent drinker takes precedence over the diagnosis of abuse and precludes such a diagnosis.


http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811374.pdf



MOLLY BARROW, PH.D.http://www.DrMollyBarrow.comhttp://www.maliaandteacup.com http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-dr-molly-barrow-show/Dr. Molly Barrow holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is the author of Matchlines for Singles, Matchline for Couples, and Malia and Teacup: Awesome African Adventure and Malia and Teacup: Out on a Limb. As an authority on relationship and psychological topics,Dr. Barrow is a member of the American Psychological Association, Screen Actors Guild, and Authors Guild and is a licensed mental health counselor. Dr. Molly has appeared as an expert in the film, My Suicide, documentaries Ready to Explode and KTLA Impact, NBC news, PBS In Focus, WBZT talk radio, and in O Magazine, Psychology Today, Newsday, New York Times, CNN, The Nest, MSN.com, Yahoo, Match.com, Women's Health, Harvard Business School, Women's World, has a radio show on blogtalkradio.com and is a columnist for Menstuff.org.