Alcohol Use Disorder

DisclaimerThis page is not here to be used as a self-diagnosis, self-identification, or promotion - it's simply here to be informational. Whether or not one self-diagnoses, self-identifies, and/or seeks a professional diagnosis is up to them.AddictionThe following page includes discussions of addiction, including substance abuse. If you are uncomfortable or get triggered by this topic, it is recommended to not read this page.

**Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)**, sometimes called **Alcoholism** at a certain level, is a pattern of alcohol use that involves problems controlling drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol or continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems. This disorder also involves having to drink more to get the same effect or having withdrawal symptoms when one rapidly decreases or stops drinking.

Alcoholism is also known as **Alcohol Addiction** or **Alcohol Dependence**. **Harmful Drinking** also falls under alcohol use disorder, which is a pattern of heavy drinking which causes damage to health, but without actual dependence.

## Stages of AUD

Alcohol use that turns into a disorder develops in stages.

* **At risk state**: This is when one drinks socially or drinks to relieve stress or to feel better. One may start to develop a tolerance for alcohol.
* **Early alcohol use disorder**: In this stage, one has progressed to blackouts, drinking alone or in secret, and thinking about alcohol a lot.
* **Mid-stage alcohol use disorder**: Ones alcohol use is now out of control and causes problems with daily life. Organ damage can be seen on lab tests and scans.
* **End-stage alcohol use disorder**: Drinking is now the main focus of life, to the exclusion of food, intimacy, health and happiness. Despair, complications of organ damage and death are now close.

## Signs & Symptoms

* Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol one drinks.
* Wanting to cut down on how much one drinks or making unsuccessful attempts to do so.
* Spending a lot of time drinking, getting alcohol or recovering from alcohol use.
* Feeling a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol.
* Failing to fulfill major obligations due to repeated alcohol use.
* Continuing to drink even with the knowledge that it's causing physical, social, work or relationship problems.
* Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies to use alcohol.
* Using alcohol in situations where it's not safe, such as when driving or swimming.
* Developing a tolerance to alcohol so one needs more to feel its affect or one has a reduced effect from the same amount.
* Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when one doesn't drink, or drinking to avoid these symptoms.

Alcohol use can include periods of alcohol intoxication and symptoms of withdrawal.

### Alcohol Intoxication

Alcohol intoxication results as the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream increases. The higher the blood alcohol concentration is, the more likely it is to have bad effects. Alcohol intoxication causes behavioral problems and mental changes. These may include inappropriate behavior, unstable moods, poor judgement, slurred speech, problems with attention and memory, and poor coordination. One can also have periods called "blackouts", in which one doesn't remember events.

### Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal can occur when alcohol use has been heavy and prolonged and is then stopped or greatly reduced. It can occur within several hours to days later. Signs and symptoms include sweating, rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, problems sleeping, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, restlessness and agitation, anxiety, and occasionally seizures.

### Affects of Alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol can damage ones health, it's associated with:

* Brain damage.
* Dementia.
* Despair, depression and suicide.
* Cancers of the breast, liver, colon and mouth.
* Fetal alcohol syndrome, if exposed to alcohol before birth.
* Accidents, like falls or burns, and injuries, like fractures or drowning.
* Liver problems, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, and fatty liver.
* Blackouts, assaults, DUIs, and homicide.

Frequent or heavy drinking can also lead to personal problems, such as trouble with:

* Money.
* Personal relationships.
* Work.

## Causes

Genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors can impact how drinking alcohol affects ones body and behavior. Theories suggest that for certain individuals, drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to alcohol use disorder.

Over time, drinking too much alcohol may change the normal functions of the areas of the brain associated with the experience of pleasure, judgement and the ability to exercise control. This may result in craving alcohol to try to restore good feelings and reduce negative ones.

An individuals risk for developing AUD depends on how much, how often, and how quickly they consume alcohol. Alcohol misuse, which includes binge drinking and heavy alcohol use, over time increases the risk of AUD. Other factors that can also increase the risk of AUD include:

* Drinking at an early age.
* Genetics and family history of alcohol problems.
* Mental health conditions and a history of trauma.

## Recovery

In many cases, the first step to treating alcohol dependence is the drinking acknowledging there is a problem. There are different treatments available for individual diagnosed with alcohol use disorder.

* Detoxification involves stopping drinking completely, whilst under medical supervision, so that the body can adjust to being without alcohol. During this time, an individual may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
* Therapy can be offered to help change negative thought patterns which may lead to drinking.
* Mutual help groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, help partly because of the new network of support an individual gains. They can help individuals adjust their thinking and their attitudes to themselves and others.
* Medications can also have a role in preventing relapse for some individual who are trying to abstain.

## References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-use-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20369243

https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-alcohol-use-disorder

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3909-alcoholism

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/mental-health/alcoholism