The mental health space is a vast area of subject matter, often with controversial boundaries surrounding what constitutes a mental health issue or problem. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal written by Melinda Beck takes on the subject of alcohol consumption post New Years. Melinda summarizes the DSM-IV definition of alcohol abuse and dependence below.

The authoritative American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-IV, separates alcohol abuse from alcohol dependence, based partly on the problems the drinking causes. You qualify for a diagnosis of "abuse" if you've done any one of these in the past year: drunk alcohol in hazardous situations, like driving; kept drinking despite social or interpersonal problems; had legal problems related to alcohol or failed to fulfill major obligations at work, school or home because of drinking.

You've moved on to "dependence" if you've done any three of these seven: drunk more or longer than you intended; been unable to cut down or stop; needed more alcohol to get the same effect; had withdrawal symptoms without it; spent more time drinking or recovering; neglected other activities or continued to drink despite psychological or physical problems.

If you are interested in checking out more substance abuse related content in the DSM-IV, you can do so with the full text from Mindsite on dependence as well as abuse. Alcohol specific sections are found here.