How to set a diagnosis
It is not easy even for a doctor to establish whether certain symptoms are caused by alcoholism or simply by biologic or external factors, because a very small number of patients admit that have a drinking problem.
In case of alcohol abuse suspicion, the specialist asks the patient a series of questions related to this topic, such as the amount of frequency and, considering these answers decides whether a screening test is necessary.
It is difficult to obtain a clear answer and blood alcohol testing is not a solution, because it only illustrates a short period, not long-term use.
But a red-call size-measuring test may provide more accurate results, through the facts that frequent alcohol use increases their dimension and that they identify carbohydrate deficient transferring. Very useful in obtaining information about related conditions are analyses of the liver or of the testosterone level (for men).
Most alcoholic deny that they have a drinking problem or give impressive information about the quantity they use. A discussion of the doctor with the worried friends or relative based on confidentiality is extremely useful.