DSM-IV Criteria for Alcohol Abuse:

  1. A maladaptive pattern of alcohol abuse leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one or more of the following, occurring within a 12-month period:
  2. These symptoms must never have met the criteria for alcohol dependence.

DSM-IV Criteria for Alcohol Dependence:

A maladaptive pattern of alcohol use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three or more of the following seven criteria, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:

  1. Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
  2. Withdrawal, as defined by either of the following:
  3. Alcohol is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.
  4. There is a persistent desire or there are unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use.
  5. A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain alcohol, use alcohol or recover from its effects.
  6. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol use.
  7. Alcohol use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the alcohol (e.g., continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer was made worse by alcohol consumption).

American Psychiatric Association. 1994. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.) (DSM-IV). Washington, D.C.: APA.