Diagnosing Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Doctors ask a series of questions to assess possible alcohol-related problems, including:

• Have you tried to reduce your drinking?
• Have you felt bad about drinking?
• Have you been annoyed by another person's criticism of your drinking?
• Do you drink in the morning to steady your nerves or cure a hangover?
• Do you have problems with a job, your family, or the law?
• Do you drive under the influence of alcohol?

Blood tests may be done to:

• Look at the size of your red blood cells and to check for a substance called carbohydrate-deficient transferrin
• Check for alcohol-related liver disease and other health problems