Alcoholism is a risk in every stage of life. Retirement is no exception.

An alcoholic scores positive on 2 or more of these 11 criteria in the last 12 months:

1. Alcohol is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.


2. There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use.


3. A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain alcohol, use alcohol, or recover from its effects.


4. Craving, or a strong desire or urge to use alcohol.


5. Recurrent alcohol use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.


6. Continued alcohol use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of alcohol.


7. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol use.


8. Recurrent alcohol use in situations in which it is physically hazardous.


9. 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.


10. Tolerance, as defined by either of the following: a) A need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect, b) A markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of alcohol.


11. Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following: a) The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for alcohol, b) Alcohol (or a closely related substance, such as a benzodiazepine) is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

2–3 positive scores is diagnosed as a mild alcohol dependence / abuse

4–5 positive scores is diagnosed as a moderate alcohol dependence / abuse

6 or more positive scores are diagnosed as a severe alcohol dependence / abuse.

Many alcohol addicts are also binge drinkers. Both abuse alcohol, but a binge drinker drinks 5 or more units of alcohol (50 grams / 60 ml / 5 glasses) at one occasion (4 if a woman). Heavy drinking is defined as consuming 8 or more drinks per week fir women and 15 or more drinks per week for men.

Certain factors increase the likelihood of developing an alcohol addiction. For example, people who smoke tobacco or cannabis, who have biological family with addictions, people who drink daily, people who grew up or live in a social environment where alcohol use is considered normal, people who “can handle their liquor well”, people with childhood trauma, people with anxiety or mood disorders, people with below average IQ, non-East Asians and men are at greater risk than average for developing alcohol addiction.