• Alcohol dependence is also known as alcoholism or alcohol use disorder.
• If you have alcohol dependence, you may crave alcohol, drink larger amounts of alcohol, struggle to stop drinking.
• Alcohol dependence can also cause withdrawal symptoms, like shaking and anxiety, once your stop drinking.
• Alcohol dependence can impact your life and put you at risk of other chronic health conditions.
• There are ways that alcohol dependence can be treated, and places you can go for support.

These key facts are from healthdirect.gov.au (accessed 27 Jan 2025). Visit the healthdirect website for more information about alcoholism.

If your doctor suspects you have alcoholism, they may request one or more tests.

If you are diagnosed with alcoholism, some of these tests will be used to monitor and manage your condition.

Find information about specific tests:

• Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)
• Liver function tests.
• Mean cell volume (MCV)
• Alcohol (ethanol) level