the first REAL step to alcoholism is when your location says: at the ****** store.
really though, there is no single criteria for it. the biggest factor is how it impacts your life. If you see it as being a potential problem than that is a sign that it is. I'm not saying if you DON'T see a problem, than there isn't one. But I'm just saying, you should listen to your gut instinct.
as people have pointed out, there's nothing wrong with kicking back and listening to some tunes or watching the game and having a cold one. But if you find that you are feeling depressed, or that you are particularly lonely when you are ********, than that is another thing, and not too good. Also of course, if your ******** just to get *****, that is also a symptom of the same condition. All things to be careful of.
I myself have had problems with ******* in the past, but I have the presence of mind to keep myself in check and see that it doesn't become a problem. It's been almost a year since I last had a *****.