Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

What is alcoholism?

Alcoholism is also known as "alcohol dependence." It is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law. Alcoholism includes four symptoms:

Craving--A strong need, or compulsion, to drink.
Impaired control--The inability to limit one's drinking on any given occasion.
Physical dependence--Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
Tolerance--The need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effects.

Why is alcoholism now considered a disease?

Alcoholism is now accepted as a disease. It is a chronic and often progressive disease. Like many diseases, it has symptoms that include a strong need to drink despite negative consequences, such as serious job or health problems. Like many diseases, it has a generally predictable course and is influenced by both genetic (inherited) and environmental factors.

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Here is a test, but I find it a bit harsh (though it is a common test used by dependency counselors)

http://www.aa-uk.org.uk/publications/areyou.htm