How Can You Diagnose and Treat AUD Symptoms Effectively?

What is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?

Alcohol use disorder (AUD), commonly known as alcoholism or alcohol addiction, is a chronic relapsing brain disease. AUD occurs when a person abuses alcohol or their body becomes dependent on it. 

Someone with AUD continues to drink despite the adverse effects. According to the CDC, there are three traits of alcohol use disorder:

• Compulsive alcohol use
• Loss of control over alcohol intake
• Negative emotional state when not using

Alcohol use disorder is a common disease. In the United States, over 15 million people have a variation of it.⁶

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What Causes Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol use disorder develops over time. It starts with occasional binge drinking that turns into overdrinking. Eventually, this develops into alcohol addiction.^1,3

Some of the most common risk factors include:

• Overdrinking or binge drinking
• Dealing with a mental health issue (anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia)
• Facing peer pressure during adolescence or early adulthood
• Having low self-esteem
• Family history of alcohol use disorder
• A relative or a close relationship with someone with AUD

It’s important to understand that not everyone who binge drinks has an AUD. About 90 percent of heavy or binge drinkers do not meet the criteria for a clinical diagnosis of alcohol addiction.

What is Considered too Much Alcohol?

One standard drink contains around 14 grams of pure alcohol.⁵ According to the CDC, drinking in moderation means:⁴

• Two or fewer standard drinks for men
• One or fewer standard drinks for women

Overdrinking typically means 12 to 15 or more drinks per week. Binge drinking refers to drinking more than five drinks on a single occasion, although they may not drink every day.

Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Drinking too much or too often are the most obvious sign of alcohol use disorder. Additionally, there might be other indications that a problem with alcohol is developing.¹

Addiction specialists use the DSM-5 to diagnose AUD. The following questions can be used to diagnose AUD.

In the past 12 months, have you:

• Consumed more alcohol or drank for longer than intended?
• Intended to reduce or stop drinking, or tried to, but couldn’t?
• Invested a lot of time drinking or dealing with the aftermath of drinking?
• Experienced a strong need or craving to drink?
• Experienced home, family, or job troubles because of drinking or being sick from drinking?
• Continued to drink even though it was causing trouble with loved ones?
• Neglected once-loved activities to drink?
• Dealt with dangerous situations while or after drinking on more than one occasion?
• Didn’t stop drinking even though it led to depression or feeling anxious?
• Continued to drink after experiencing a blackout or other negative health consequences?
• Increased alcohol intake to experience the same intoxicated feeling?
• Experienced withdrawal symptoms after the effects of alcohol wore off?

If you answer yes to at least two of these symptoms, you may have an AUD.

How Is The Severity of AUD Determined?

The severity of the AUD is defined as:

• Mild: two to three symptoms are present
• Moderate: four to five symptoms are present
• Severe: six or more symptoms are present

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Health Risks of Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder can lead to a variety of secondary health problems, including:

• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Brain damage
• GI tract cancer
• Dementia
• Depression
• High blood pressure
• Pancreatitis
• Cancer
• Nerve damage
• Liver damage
• Kidney damage

Alcohol use disorder may also lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. It’s a brain disease that causes confusion, vision changes, or memory loss.

When Should You Seek Treatment?

Because of how common denial is, you might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are caused by alcohol. Listen to relatives, friends, or co-workers when they show concern for your drinking habits. 

You should consider speaking to a healthcare provider or a doctor if: 

• Your drinking has caused legal problems
• Your drinking is causing financial problems
• Your loved ones are concerned for your health
• Your drinking has worsened your mental health
• Your drinking has affected your work or school performance

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Types of Treatment For AUD

It’s possible to recover from alcohol addiction. However, the process is often challenging and requires professional guidance and a strong support system. 

Successful recovery depends on a person’s overall health, mental health, and readiness for recovery. Common treatments available for AUD include:

• Inpatient rehabilitation: Involves checking yourself into a rehab facility for 24-hour medical supervision 
• Outpatient rehabilitation: A treatment program where patients are freely allowed to leave the rehab facility
• Medication: Involves using medication, counseling, and therapy to treat addiction 
• Behavioral treatments: A short-term therapy technique explores the link between thought patterns and addiction
• Mutual support groups: Provide a much-needed community to help maintain sobriety after treatment

Summary

Alcohol use disorder or alcoholism is a chronic relapsing brain disease. It happens when someone becomes addicted or dependent on alcohol.

Alcohol use disorder usually develops over time and can be caused by:

• Environmental factors
• Genetic factors
• Psychological factors

Alcohol use disorder has several risk factors that can cause long-term physical and mental health problems. Fortunately, there are different treatments available for AUD.

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