Help For Alcohol Use Disorder

An in-depth look at Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and crucial information you should know if you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol abuse, binge drinking and alcohol dependence.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine defines alcohol use disorder (AUD) as a medical condition:

Alcohol use disorder includes alcohol abuse, alcoholism, and alcohol dependence.

Alcohol use disorders are ranked from mild to severe, but all include drinking that is at a level where harm or distress are a factor. Alcohol abuse would fall under the mild to moderate end of the spectrum but is still classified as an alcohol use disorder. Those abusing, but not yet addicted to alcohol have difficulty controlling their drinking, but do not yet have the physical craving of someone at a higher level of alcohol use disorder.

Anyone who drinks alcohol may have one or more of the following signs. Depending on the number of signs a drinker has, he or she may fall into the mild, moderate, or severe category of AUD. Alcohol abuse may fall at the mild level, where physical dependence has not yet taken hold.

Some of the signs of AUD can include:

The DSM-5 lists specific criteria to consider when diagnosing the level of alcohol use disorder. These are the number of symptoms or behaviors that have occurred within the past 12 months.

Under the previous edition, DSM-IV, those with any 1 symptom were diagnosed with alcohol abuse.

Those at the mild end of the alcohol use disorder spectrum may find a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to be the right approach for them.

However, AA alone may not be enough for those with AUD. For many, a combination of treatments, and possibly medications, may be best. Many inpatient or outpatient therapies are available, which typically offer individual and group counseling, some form of 12-step program, and other support therapies. Common therapeutic approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Enhancement Therapy.

Those who have developed a physical dependence on alcohol may need to go through detoxification before undergoing therapy. It is best to be medically supervised during detox.

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