Summary

• Alcohol dependence is also known as alcoholism or alcohol use disorder.
• If you have alcohol dependence, you may crave alcohol, drink larger amounts of alcohol, struggle to stop drinking.
• Alcohol dependence can also cause withdrawal symptoms, like shaking and anxiety, once your stop drinking.
• Alcohol dependence can impact your life and put you at risk of other chronic health conditions.
• There are ways that alcohol dependence can be treated, and places you can go for support.

The above information is provided by healthdirect. Further information on alcoholism can be found at healthdirect.

Relevant Tests

If your doctor suspects you have alcoholism, they may request one or more tests. 

If you are diagnosed with alcoholism , some of these tests will be used to monitor and manage your condition.

Find information about specific tests:

• Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT).
• Liver function tests.
• Mean cell volume (MCV).
• Alcohol (ethanol) level.