Alcohol Abuse and Dependence

Alcohol use problems may be diagnosed during a routine doctor visit or when you see your doctor for another problem. If your partner or a friend thinks you have an alcohol problem, he or she may urge you to see your doctor.

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and do a physical exam. He or she also may ask questions or do tests to look for health problems linked to alcohol problems, such as cirrhosis. Many people don't go to a doctor for alcohol problems but for problems that result from long-term alcohol use.

If you think you or someone you care about might have a drinking problem, use this short quiz to check for symptoms:

Interactive Tool: Do You Have a Drinking Problem?

Drinking and mental health problems

People who drink also may have mental health problems. These may include depression, anxiety disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If your doctor thinks this may be true for you, he or she may do a mental health assessment.

If you have a drinking problem and a mental health problem, it's called a dual diagnosis. A dual diagnosis can make treatment for an alcohol problem harder. If you don't get treatment, one problem can make the other one worse. If you treat only one problem, treatment may not work well. When you treat both problems, you have a better chance for a full recovery and less chance of drinking again.