Criteria for the Diagnosis of Alcoholism

These criteria for the diagnosis of alcoholism were compiled by a committee of medical authorities from the National Council on Alcoholism to establish guidelines for the proper diagnosis and evaluation of this disease. Criteria are weighted for diagnostic significance and assembled according to type—"Physiological and Clinical" (including major alcohol-associated illnesses) and "Behaviorial, Psychological, and Attitudinal." Because early diagnosis is helpful in treatment and recovery, manifestations are separated into their earlier and later phases. There are brief discussions of recurrent and arrested alcoholism, cross-dependence, and the types of persons at high risk of alcoholism.