The diagnosis of alcoholism

Alcoholism is underdiagnosed by many physicians, for various reasons. The physician may feel that alcoholism is a weakness rather than an illness or may believe that alcoholics differ in appearance from other patients. Patients and family members frequently deny the problem, and some physicians are reluctant to diagnose a disorder they do not know how to treat. Diagnosis depends mainly on the medical, social and psychologic histories. Questionnaires are useful for routine screening of patients.