OBJECTIVE: Alcohol use is linked to a wide and complex range of individual and societal harms. Decisions on whether and how to address alcohol-related harms are shaped by the way in which such problems are understood, particularly through the use of language and concepts in professional and lay discourse. However, all terms and concepts have a complex set of implications which vary by context. For example, some language, particularly that associated with a historically dominant 'alcoholism' model, may be clearly harmful in some contexts (eg, via public stigma) and potentially valuable in others (eg, via facilitating recovery processes), or hold 'mixed blessings'. Careful empirical attention is required to assess the implications of key terms and concepts used in efforts to understand and address alcohol use and problems amongst the public, researchers, policy makers and practitioners.

METHODS: We take an author-led and empirically informed approach to critically evaluate common terms and concepts to describe alcohol use and related constructs.

RESULTS: We identify how alcohol-related framing and discourse is highly relevant to alcohol-related outcomes via key issues including stigma, public health goals, political and commercial interests.

CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations are made for key partners to consider in the use and evolution of key terms and concepts relating to the broad spectrum of alcohol use and problems.