The Truth About Alcohol Use Disorder
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) affects millions of Americans each year, with around 16 million people diagnosed with AUD. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) breaks down AUD into three levels of severity: mild, moderate or severe depending on the number of criteria met. The criteria include people who in the past year have:
- Had times when you ended up drinking more, or longer than you intended
- More than once wanted to cut down or stop drinking, or tried to, but couldn’t
- Spent a lot of time drinking – or being sick or getting over other aftereffects
- Wanted a drink so badly you couldn’t think of anything else
- Found that drinking or being sick from drinking often interfered with taking care of your home or family, caused job troubles or school problems
The DSM lists a total of 11 criteria (including the five listed) that could indicate a reliance or addiction on alcohol. Mild AUD is defined as having the presence of 2 to 3 symptoms whereas severe AUD is the presence of 6 or more symptoms.
For many, recognizing that they have an addiction or dependency on alcohol can be difficult. Alcohol is readily accessible to most people and often used at parties, dinners and other social gatherings. The vast majority of those suffering from Alcohol Use Disorder go undiagnosed.
Alcohol addiction can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life including their ability to hold a stable job, be present at home or with friends, or remain healthy. AUD can have long-term consequences including liver disease, heart failure, stroke, diabetes, depression, cancer and others.
If you or a loved one can answer yes to the questions listed above or the ones produced by the DSM, you need to seek professional help immediately. Alcohol addiction is difficult to overcome, but sobriety is achievable.