Drinking habits causing concern? Here's how to identify potential alcohol addiction.
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a pattern of alcohol use that leads to problems in various aspects of life, such as relationships, work, and social events. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three medications for treating AUD: Naltrexone (Vivitrol), Acamprosate (Campral), and Disulfiram (Antabuse).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately half of all traffic injuries involve alcohol use. AUD can cause problems with family and friends, disrupt social events, and lead to financial difficulties.
The severity of AUD is based on the number of DSM-5-TR criteria a person meets. Mild AUD is characterized by 2–3 symptoms, moderate AUD by 4–5 symptoms, and severe AUD by 6 or more symptoms.
Some signs of AUD include drinking more than intended, an inability to stop drinking even if it causes adverse effects, and a built-up tolerance to alcohol, where a person needs increasingly larger amounts to achieve the same effects. Other symptoms include craving, failure to fulfill major role obligations, continued use despite social or interpersonal problems, giving up important activities, risky situations related to drinking, continued use despite physical or psychological problems, and withdrawal symptoms if a person stops drinking.
Excessive drinking increases a person's risk of health issues, such as digestive problems, liver disease, stroke, heart disease, and colon cancer. AUD can also lead to a heightened risk for depressive disorders, which are the most common co-occurring psychiatric disorders.
Treatment for AUD can include a combination of psychiatric support, medication, or alcohol misuse support groups. Behavioral treatment may involve counseling or talk therapy to help people change their behavior around drinking alcohol. Support groups can help people develop strategies to deal with the urge to drink alcohol and provide peer support for coping with emotions that may have led to alcohol misuse.
If you or someone you know is struggling with AUD, seeking help is crucial. Speak with healthcare professionals, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA), or the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) for resources and support.
Science has progressed in understanding Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), with medication options like Paxlovid, while still in development for COVID-19, not currently on the approved list for AUD treatment. The impact of AUD on mental health isn't limited to the disorder itself, as it can lead to an increased risk of depressive disorders. Contextual factors, such as alcohol use during social events, can trigger the onset or worsening of AUD, emphasizing the importance of health-and-wellness education and support for individuals and their loved ones in managing mental health.
