Table I.

Proposed criteria of alcohol dependence in ICD-11

Criterion	Description
A	Difficulties in controlling substance-taking behaviour in terms of its onset, termination, or levels of use, often combined with a strong desire or sense of compulsion to take the substance.
B	A higher priority given to alcohol use than to other activities, obligations, personal and health matters. Substance use plays a dominant role in the individual's life.
C	Presence of physiological symptoms (pointing to an adaptation of the nervous system to the substance), such as: tolerance, physical withdrawal state when substance use has ceased or been reduced, as evidenced by: the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance; or use of the same (or a closely related) substance with the intention of relieving or avoiding withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms must be characteristic for the withdrawal syndrome of the given substance and not just be symptoms of a hangover.