What does it mean to be "alcoholic"? The DSM, psychiatry's diagnostic bible, does not have a category termed alcoholism per se, only diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. For many people with problematic drinking, physical dependence on alcohol is not an issue; they don't necessarily drink daily or suffer withdrawal symptoms beyond a hangover. Many problem drinkers therefore would deny that they are alcoholic because they think of the alcoholic as a daily drinker who requires a shot or two to get out of bed in the morning.