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Alcoholism: development of the diagnostic concept
1Department of Psychological Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine, New Zealand.
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
|June 1, 1994
Summary
Diagnostic concepts for alcoholism have evolved significantly over 40 years, with current international consensus defining alcoholism as alcohol dependence. This definition, found in DSM-IIIR and ICD-10, emphasizes the alcohol dependence syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Addiction Medicine
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- The diagnostic criteria for alcoholism have evolved over the past four decades.
- Major classification systems have undergone significant revisions in defining alcoholism.
Observation:
- Alcoholism is now consistently equated with alcohol dependence in international standards.
- The current definitions are heavily influenced by the Edwards and Gross description of the alcohol dependence syndrome.
Findings:
- The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition-Revised (DSM-IIIR) and the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) represent current consensus.
- While withdrawal symptoms and relief use are recognized, they are not mandatory for diagnosing alcohol dependence.
Implications:
- These standardized diagnostic criteria facilitate consistent clinical assessment and research.
- Understanding the evolution of diagnostic concepts is crucial for future research and clinical practice in addiction.
- Future directions in diagnosing and treating alcohol use disorders are informed by this diagnostic evolution.