Originally Posted by
mistycshore 
I think it is a continuum rather than black & white.
There was a graphic that didn't come through when I copied the article showing the continuum of care proposed. Here it is:
Here is the link to the article on the Addiction Professional website:
New research is redefining alcohol disorders | Articles & Archives | ArtIcles/News | Addiction Professional
Also, I didn't realize this until now, but the author, Dr. Mark Willenbring is the Director of the Division of Treatment and Recovery Research at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.