Exams and Tests for Alcohol Abuse

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Your doctor can diagnose alcohol use problems by asking about your medical history and doing a physical exam. Your doctor might do other tests to detect the amount of alcohol in your blood and any damage to your body caused by alcohol.

You might be given a mental health assessment to determine whether you have other conditions (such as depression or social anxiety disorder) that commonly occur along with alcohol abuse and dependence.

Many people do not go to a doctor for alcohol problems but seek treatment for physical conditions (such as cirrhosis) that result from long-term alcohol use. Your doctor might ask you questions about your drinking to help see whether alcohol use is the cause of a condition like cirrhosis.

When to Call a Doctor

Call 911 or other emergency services for a person who has consumed alcohol and is:

  • Experiencing alcohol poisoning symptoms—such as unconsciousness, seizures, or difficulty breathing—after binge drinking.
  • Having serious withdrawal symptoms, such as confusion and severe trembling. Severe withdrawal symptoms, such as delirium tremens (DTs), can in rare cases lead to death.
  • Thinking or talking about suicide or violence to others.

Call a health professional immediately if you or a person close to you:

  • Has a history of heavy drinking and is having severe symptoms of withdrawal but is not willing to get treatment.
  • Agrees to be evaluated for possible treatment. People who postpone a health evaluation often do not follow through with making the appointment.
  • Has a relapse of alcohol abuse or dependence.

Call a health professional if you or someone you care about:

  • Has an alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence problem.
  • Is in denial about an alcohol problem or is too sick to seek help.
  • Has blackouts—not being able to remember what happened during a drinking episode.
  • Drinks alcohol and takes certain medicines (such as antihistamines or acetaminophen) that interact with alcohol.
  • Drinks alcohol and has poor health.
  • Is not able to take care of daily responsibilities because of drinking alcohol.
  • Has signs of alcohol dependence, including developing a tolerance to alcohol or having withdrawal symptoms (such as confusion and severe trembling) when he or she stops drinking.
  • Is being affected by another person's drinking and wants help.

Watchful Waiting

For most people, drinking occasionally does not cause problems in their lives. People with risk factors for alcohol abuse and dependence need to be aware of their drinking behaviors. If you believe that your health or other areas of your life are being affected by drinking alcohol, you need to stop drinking. If you have concerns about your drinking or the drinking of someone close to you, talk with a health professional.

Watchful waiting is not appropriate if you or other people are being hurt by another person's drinking. It is important to seek help for yourself and other people who are being affected, even if the person who is drinking does not seek treatment. Early treatment for all people affected by drinking reduces the chance that problems will result.

Who to See

The following health professionals can help diagnose and treat symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol and provide support during recovery:

  • Family medicine physician
  • General practitioner
  • Nurse practitioner
  • Physician assistant
  • Internist Psychiatrist

After withdrawal symptoms have been treated, the following health professionals can provide support during recovery to help you stay sober:

Psychiatrist or another doctor that specializes in addiction medicine Psychologist Licensed mental health counselor Social worker Some health professionals might have chemical dependency certification (CDC) or be a certified alcoholism counselor (CAC).

Support groups can also help you and your family with alcohol use problems:

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or similar support groups are for people with alcohol abuse or dependence. Al-Anon or Alateen (for teenagers) are for families and friends affected by someone's drinking.

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Reviewed: 11/2005