| Alcoholism is defined as any condition that results in | | | | Data Questionnaire is a more sensitive test than the |
| the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, | | | | cage test and helps to distinguish a diagnosis of alcohol |
| despite health problems and negative social | | | | dependence from heavy drinking. |
| consequences. Medical definitions however describe | | | | The final tool is the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test, |
| this state as a disease and as an addiction, resulting | | | | used mainly by courts to determine the appropriate |
| from consistent use of alcohol. The definition however | | | | sentencing term for people convicted for |
| varies form one medical community to another. It is | | | | alcohol-related offense. Alcoholism has various effects |
| important to know that, the process is gradual. It begins | | | | in the life of an individual. These include social effects |
| from use, to heavy use, misuse, dependence and | | | | which come as a result of the changes that the |
| finally, it becomes an addiction. | | | | individual goes through. |
| Remission is a term that is used to refer to a state in | | | | The person is no longer able to relate properly with |
| which, a person no longer shows symptoms of this | | | | other people. Such people no longer take proper care |
| state. There are tools that are used in the medical | | | | of themselves. This condition also has mental and |
| world to conduct screening for alcohol abusers. | | | | physical effects on the abuser. Just like many |
| Identification involves an assessment regarding the | | | | diseases, alcoholism has a number of treatments |
| damage that alcohol consumption does to the user's | | | | which are quite varied. Most of the treatment for this |
| life. Such tools include the cage questionnaire which is | | | | condition focuses on helping the people affected to |
| named so because of its four questions that the | | | | discontinue the use of alcohol and get social support. |
| doctor directs to the patient. The alcohol Dependence | | | | |