Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Alcohol dependence
Introduction
Template:DiseaseDisorder infobox
Overview
Overview
Alcohol dependence, as described in the DSM-IV, is a psychiatric diagnosis describing a physical dependence on alcohol. It is differentiated from alcohol abuse by the presence of symptoms such as tolerance and withdrawal. Alcohol dependence is sometimes referred to by the less specific term alcoholism. However, many definitions of alcoholism exist, and only some are compatible with alcohol abuse.
About 12% of American adults have had an alcohol dependence problem at some time in their life.[1]
References
References
- ↑ Hasin D; et al. (2007). “Prevalence, Correlates, Disability, and Comorbidity of DSM-IV Alcohol Abuse and Dependence in the United States”. Archives of General Psychiatry. 64 (7).
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]