These are the official diagnostic criteria, which helped to open my eyes and stop drinking:

• Alcohol is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended.
• There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use.
• A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain, use, or recover from the effects of alcohol.
• Craving, or a strong desire or urge to use alcohol.
• Recurrent alcohol use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.
• Continued alcohol use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of alcohol.
• Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol use.
• Recurrent alcohol use in situations in which it is physically hazardous.
• Alcohol use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by alcohol.
• Tolerance, as defined by either a need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect, or a markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount.
• Withdrawal, as manifested by either characteristic withdrawal syndrome for alcohol or alcohol (or a closely related substance) is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

In a 12 month period:

• 2 - 4 criteria met: mild
• 4 - 5: moderate
• 6+: severe

I’ve heard the idea that an addiction becomes an addiction once it starts negatively impacting your life.

i.e. missing scheduled events, getting angry at people when you can’t have it, lying to others about it, etc.

But I am not a licensed anything so hopefully someone else who knows what they’re actually talking about also answers

We use the CAGE questions in the UK as a quick screening tool.

Have you ever felt the need to Cut down on your alcohol intake? Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking? Have you ever needed an Eye opener (drink first thing in the morning)?

Yes to two or more indicates problem drinking and probably alcoholism.

Other factors are drinking every day, drinking more than a few units in one go regularly, drinking to black out drunk, causing damage to yourself or others.

There is criteria for evaluating addiction. No need to speculate.

I used to work in restaurants and I often overheard a co-worker proclaim “I gotta get drunk tonight”. This was always on their last work day of the week. If someone turns to booze as a stress coping mechanism, I consider them an alcoholic.

Another co-worker, on a gas-drilling rig, and I were having a discussion about common causes of death. At one point I claimed that alcohol is responsible for more death than xyz (many years ago, I don’t remember the details). He got offended because I said something mean about booze. Taking that and the fact his first stop when he got back on dry land was the liquor store, I’m pretty sure he was an alcoholic.

There’s two types:

1. Mental addiction

2. Physical addiction

For #2 it’s pretty clear cut: they get the shakes between 12-48 hrs without drinking

For #1 there’s a lot of grey area, but basically someone who becomes agitated when they can’t drink on their normal schedule or won’t do certain activities if they can’t also drink.

I’m a mild one, absurdly high functioning. Used to drink probably a handle on the weekend pretty consistently and with lots of effort have cut it to a 6 pack or so. But I think about it a lot. Never caused any issues but it’ll eventually kill me 🤷‍♂️. Fun stuff.

Anyone who drinks more than me, everyone who drinks less than me is a lightweight though!

When they get withdrawals, even if mild. Some people get a bit cranky if they don’t get their daily fix (and yes, it has to be a daily habit). That’s evidence for me of an unhealthy dependence.

Of course, if they always have alcohol available it’s going to be difficult to see the withdrawal and it’s also difficult to draw the line because not all people tolerate it in the same way.

Some examples I’ve seen recently:

1. Guy was sceduled for cardiac catheterization in four days because he wasn’t feeling well (he had a history with heart failure). Still drank seven bottles of beer at a birthday party.
2. Long haul truck driver brings a tray of beer to work so he can drink a few after work when away from home.
3. On a city trip a guy brought beer back to his room so he had something to drink there, even though he was attending bars when not in his room.

When drinking becomes habitual.

https://nida.nih.gov/nidamed-medical-health-professionals/screening-tools-resources/chart-screening-tools

Maybe that helps

When they need it to function.

When their behaviour goes down the drain