Alcohol use

Two-thirds of American adults drink alcohol, mainly in social situations with friends or family members. For most of them, drinking alcohol is controlled and safe. However, for the 18 million Americans with alcoholism or related problems, drinking is highly dangerous.

Most people have a hard time distinguishing when "normal drinking" becomes problem drinking. How do you know how much is too much, particularly when a small to moderate amount of alcohol might be good for you?
n general, drinking is considered a problem when it starts to adversely affect a person's personal or professional life, or when the person loses control over his or her drinking
This topic will explain how healthcare providers determine if a person has a drinking problem. It also offers some screening tools you can use on yourself or a relative or friend.