Signs and symptoms
... Most alcoholics deny that they have a drinking problem. Other signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse include: Drinking alone or in secret Not remembering conversations or commitments — sometimes ...

Causes
... Alcohol addiction — physical dependence on alcohol — occurs gradually as drinking alcohol alters the balance of some chemicals in your brain, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which ...

Risk factors
... Steady drinking over time can produce a physical dependence on alcohol. Drinking over 14 drinks a week for men or seven drinks a week for women increases the risk of developing dependence on alcohol. ...

When to seek medical advice
... Because denial is nearly always a characteristic of alcoholism, it''s unlikely that people who are alcoholic or who abuse alcohol will seek medical treatment on their own. Often it takes family member...

Screening and diagnosis
... It''s often difficult for doctors to decide which people to screen for an alcohol problem and to recognize symptoms of alcoholism. For example, signs and symptoms such as memory loss or falling might ...