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Alcoholism most often refers to alcohol use disorder—a problematic pattern of drinking that leads to impairment or distress—which can be characterized as mild, moderate, or severe based...
- Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use disorder, more colloquially known as...
- Alcohol Use Disorder
Dec 13, 2021 · Alcohol use disorder, more colloquially known as alcoholism­, refers to a problematic pattern of alcohol use that leads to significant impairment or distress....
- Overview
- What is alcohol use disorder?
- Effects of alcohol misuse
- Symptoms and diagnosis of alcohol misuse
- Who is at risk for alcohol misuse?
- Treatment for alcohol misuse
- When to contact a doctor
- Summary
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition in which a person continues to consume alcohol despite the adverse consequences. AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe.
Other names for AUD include alcohol misuse, alcohol dependence, alcohol addiction, and alcoholism. Risk factors for developing AUD include a family history of alcohol misuse, mental health conditions, and starting alcohol use at a young age.
Alcohol misuse can lead to various illnesses such as heart disease. People experiencing alcohol misuse disorder should seek medical attention.
Keep reading to learn more about AUD, including who is at risk, common symptoms, treatment, and more.
Alcohol misuse is the excessive consumption of alcohol. It is the inability to control drinking, even when it negatively affects a person’s life. The person consuming alcohol may develop tolerance and experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to cut back.
A national survey published in 2019 reported that 14.1 million adults (5.6%) and 414,000 adolescents aged 12-17 years (1.7%) were experiencing AUD in 2019 in the United States.
Alcohol misuse can adversely affect a person’s health, quality of life, and relationships.
Some negative consequences of alcohol misuse include:
•injuries (e.g. falls, workplace accidents, motor vehicle accidents)
•violence
•chronic diseases (e.g. liver cirrhosis, stroke, dementia, heart disease)
•cancers (e.g. breast, rectal, liver)
Alcohol intoxication causes slowed speech and reflexes, difficulty in concentration and memory, and poor decision-making. A pattern of excessive use may signal alcohol misuse.
Common signs of alcohol misuse include:
•wanting to stop drinking but not managing to do so
•hiding the extent of the alcohol misuse in order to protect it
•being in denial about the extent of the alcohol misuse problem
•diverting energy from work, family, and social life in order to drink
How much, how quickly, and how often a person uses alcohol will affect their risk of developing AUD. Other factors may also increase risk. Below is a list of some risk factors:
•Binge-drinking: Consuming large quantities of alcohol in a short period of time.
•Heavy drinking: Steady drinking over a long period of time.
•Starting to drink at a young age (before age 15 years): This risk is higher for females than males.
•A family history of misuse of alcohol: Genetics may also play a role.
•Mental health conditions: These include depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder. Childhood trauma also increases the risk of developing AUD.
Medication
Three medications are FDA-approved for alcohol dependence. •Naltrexone (Vivitrol): This is an injection given by a healthcare professional once a month. It reduces the craving for alcohol. •Acamprosate (Campral): This medication is taken by mouth. It is thought to act by restoring the balance of chemicals in the brain. •Disulfiram (Antabuse): This medication is taken by mouth. It interferes with the metabolism of alcohol. Drinking even a small amount of alcohol causes very unpleasant nausea and vomiting.
Natural remedies
Research is ongoing to determine the benefits of natural therapies on the prevention of complications from AUD. People should not try to use natural remedies on their own, but use them in conjunction with medical treatment and therapy options. Alcohol misuse may lead people to skip meals or maintain a diet that lacks balance. Additionally, alcohol may cause inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. This can impair absorption of essential nutrients, particularly vitamin B1 (thiamine). Thiamine is important for proper brain function. Thiamine supplements can help restore proper levels in the body. Excessive alcohol intake can disrupt the balance of microbes in the gut. Administration of probiotics may improve intestinal function and help prevent liver disease. As with any chronic condition, proper nutrition is an important component of any recovery plan, but so is physical activity. A recent literature review suggests that frequent aerobic exercise may complement behavioral therapy used for AUD, leading to reductions in alcohol intake. More study is needed in this area, and all the natural remedies above. People should also note that those with AUD may already be dehydrated, and further dehydration due to exercise may place people at an increased risk of seizures.
Therapy
Licensed therapists work with people who are misusing alcohol to help them stop drinking. They can provide reinforcement and motivation techniques. They also help people identify and avoid their triggers for drinking. They can offer alternative ways for dealing with stress. Learn more about different types of therapy here.
If a person believes that they are misusing alcohol, they should consider seeking medical help. Early intervention can help prevent some of the negative consequences of drinking.
With the support of a doctor, people can develop a treatment plan that is individualized for them. It may be in an inpatient or outpatient setting, and may require detoxification to manage withdrawal symptoms. A treatment plan may involve medication, therapy, or both.
Awareness of the definition and who is at risk for developing AUD can help people make better decisions about their use of alcohol.
Those people who develop AUD should seek treatment. There are treatment options available for AUD, with or without therapy, that can help guide a person’s towards recovery.
People with alcohol use disorders drink to excess, endangering both themselves and others. This question-and-answer fact sheet explains alcohol problems and how psychologists can help people recover.
Aug 1, 2023 · Risk of AUD is nearly equally genetic and environmental. AUD is responsive to psychosocial treatments, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement therapy. Alcohol affects multiple neurotransmitter systems, and thus pharmacotherapy for AUD is also effective.
Nov 3, 2023 · According to the National Institutes of Health, an alcohol use disorder (AUD) is defined as a “chronic relapsing brain disease” that causes a person to drink compulsively despite adverse consequences to daily life and overall health.
People also ask
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What is alcoholism & how does it affect a person?
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. It encompasses the conditions that some people refer to as alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, alcohol addiction, and the colloquial term, alcoholism.
