[Diagnosis of alcohol dependence]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Addiction Medicine

Context:

• The alcohol dependence syndrome is increasingly central to diagnosing alcohol use disorders.
• It is recognized in major diagnostic systems, including ICD-10 and DSM-III-R.
• Understanding alcohol dependence is critical for effective treatment and public health strategies.

Purpose:

• To review the historical concepts of alcoholism.
• To discuss the concurrent and predictive validity of the alcohol dependence syndrome.
• To examine the relationship between the dependence syndrome and typology, comorbidity, and neurobiological variables.
• To assess current diagnostic instruments for alcohol dependence.
• To indicate future research perspectives in the field.

Summary:

• The dependence syndrome has become a cornerstone in the diagnosis of alcohol abuse disorders, reflected in its inclusion in ICD-10 and DSM-III-R.
• This review covers historical perspectives on alcoholism, followed by an examination of the dependence syndrome's validity.
• It explores the syndrome's links to patient typologies, co-occurring conditions (comorbidity), and underlying neurobiological factors.
• Diagnostic tools are evaluated, and avenues for future research are proposed.

Impact:

• Provides a comprehensive overview of the alcohol dependence syndrome's diagnostic significance.
• Highlights the importance of considering typological, comorbidity, and neurobiological aspects in alcohol use disorder assessment.
• Informs the development and refinement of diagnostic instruments for alcohol dependence.
• Guides future research priorities in understanding and treating alcohol use disorders.