Originally Posted by
Esperons 
It's interesting to me that one of the well-documented markers of alcoholism is this eventual progression into someone mean and abusive. If that's the only marker preventing certain people from coming to terms with their alcoholism, then that's really unfortunate, IMHO.
Becoming "mean and abusive" is not among the diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence or alcohol abuse. Attempts to control or cut down on (moderate) one's drinking, tolerance, withdrawal, cravings, drinking more or more often than planned, spending a lot of time preparing to drink or engaging in activities related to drinking or drinking itself, and continued drinking despite a persistent medical or psychological condition are among the DSM-V diagnostic criteria for AUD (Alcohol Use Disorder). You only need to have two of these (and other symptoms which I have not listed) to meet criteria for AUD.