What is this question asking?

The way the question is stated leads me to believe they are asking about past and present issues.

...that interferes with your ability to perform the essential functions of your profession...

If alcohol is no longer an issue then that's a no.

They are asking about past and present issues but even the fact that they are asking it tells me that they would never hire anyone who answers yes to any of them.

On the application for licensure in IL the question asks

"Have you had or do you now have any disease or condition that interferes with your ability to perform the essential functions of your profession, including any disease or condition generally regarded as chronic by the medical community, i.e., (1) mental or emotional disease or condition; (2) alcohol or other substance abuse; (3) physical disease or condition, that presently interferes with your ability to practice your profession?

Are they asking if I had one of the listed items that would PRESENTLY interfere with my ability to practice? OR Are they asking if I ever had one of the listed items in the past?

I was dependent on alcohol back in 2006. I have been sober since 2008, so alcohol is no longer an issue.

How should I answer this question??

If

See the above highlighted text.

The answer is "no"