To meet the criteria for having an alcohol dependence syndrome, you should have had three or more of the following symptoms for at least a year:
- Out of control, i.e. you can not stop drinking since when you first started
- Alcohol hunger, craving, i.e. a fierce and irresistible urge to drink alcohol
- Withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking, i.e. you show symptoms where you sweat, tremble, feel inner turmoil, have elevated heart rate and mild fever
- Continue to drink in spite of sacrificing your health
- Tolerance, i.e. you have to drink more and more to get the same effect of alcohol
- Alcohol dominates your life, i.e. due to drinking it’s becoming harder to meet your obligations to family, friends and work.
If you, or a loved one, show any of these symptoms, we recommend that you seek professional help immediately