Alcoholism refers to an entity in which alcohol or any cross-tolerant addictive agent is involved. In alcohol dependence, reduction of alcohol, as defined within DSM-IV, can be attained by learning to control the use of alcohol. That is, a client can be offered a social learning approach that helps them to cope with external pressures by re-learning their pattern of drinking alcohol. In alcoholism, patients are generally not presumed to be in remission unless they are abstinent from alcohol.The following elements are the template for which the degree of dependence is judged:

Narrowing of the drinking repertoire. Increased salience of the need for alcohol over competing needs and responsibilities. An acquired tolerance to alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms. Relief or avoidance of withdrawal symptoms by further drinking. Subjective awareness of compulsion to drink. Reinstatement after abstinence. Screening
AUDIT has replaced older screening tools such as CAGE but there are many shorter alcohol screening tools, mostly derived from the AUDIT. The Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SAD-Q) is a more specific twenty-item inventory for assessing the presence and severity of alcohol dependence. AUDIT
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is considered the most accurate alcohol screening tool for identifying potential alcohol misuse, including dependence. It was developed by the World Health Organisation, designed initially for use in primary healthcare settings with supporting guidance. CAGE
The CAGE questionnaire, the name of which is an acronym of its four questions, is a widely used method of screening for alcoholism.
Online version of the CAGE questionnaire

SADQ
The Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ or SAD-Q) is a 20 item clinical screening tool designed to measure the presence and level of alcohol dependence. Withdrawal
Withdrawals from alcohol dependence is a common side effect that occurs when a person with the dependency stops drinking abruptly or even cuts back on their drinking after a prolonged period of indulgence. Withdrawal from alcohol dependence can vary from mild, moderate to severe, depending on several factors such as: how long the person has been drinking, are they a binge drinker, do they relapse chronically, how much do they drink daily. All these factors can vary from one person to the next depending on psychological, environmental, and biological factors. Some common withdrawal side effects are as listed:

Mild
Nausea
Vomiting
Rapid heartbeat
Elevated blood pressure
Fatigue
Body aches / tremors
Anxiety / Irritability / Depression
Fuzzy brain
Issues with sleeping

Severe
Vomiting
Hypertensive crisis
Seizures / Tremors
Delusions / Hallucinations
Dehydration
Fever
Chills / Shakes
Extreme mood lability
Mental pandemonium
Little to no appetiteThe spectrum of alcohol withdrawal symptoms range from such minor symptoms as insomnia and tremulousness to severe complications such as withdrawal seizures and delirium tremens. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome can be very tricky to diagnose, due to other preliminary conditions that may exist from individual to individual. Treatment
Treatments for alcohol dependence can be separated into two groups, those directed towards severely alcohol-dependent people, and those focused for those at risk of becoming dependent on alcohol. Treatment for alcohol dependence often involves utilizing relapse prevention, support groups, psychotherapy, and setting short-term goals.