The professionals have two categories: alcohol abuse and alcohol dependent.
There is no physical test for either; no cat scan, x ray, blood test for physical lesion or antibodies. Both are in the DSM.
I prefer these two categories.
It is far easier to quit when it is early days; when the habit is far less developed. It is far easier to quit when the drinking and mental health issues are not involved. Put the two together -- people get confused about the description of the problem and the solution.
It is far easier to quit when you have very strong reasons to quit.
It is a continuum; it is not either/or.
This means that humans are individuals and do not fit into a mold.
I used RR, but I did not know that I did until after I read the book.
After I quit, I went to SMART Recovery on line.