How long does it take to become an alcoholic when drinking heavily?

Drinking heavily is a strong sign of Alcoholism. Some indicators of alcoholism are: * the frequent feeling of "needing" a drink * dependence on alcohol affects connections with others negatively, such as those with friends and family * the dependence causes a decrease in work productivity * denial of a problem can usually signify its presence However, there is no exact measure in terms of quantity of alcohol consumed. Some people have higher tolerances, while others become drunk after much smaller amounts.