What is Alcohol Use Disorder?

Alcohol use disorder, also known as alcoholism, is a problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to significant impairment or distress, as demonstrated by at least two of the following factors, occurring within a 12-month period:

• Alcohol often consumed in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.
• Persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use.
• Excessive time spent obtaining alcohol, using alcohol, or recovering from its effects.
• Craving, or a strong desire, to use alcohol.
• Recurrent alcohol use resulting in a failure to fulfill major obligations at work, school, or home.
• Continued alcohol use despite having persistent or recurrent social/interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of alcohol.
• Important social, occupational, or recreational activities given up or reduced because of alcohol use.
• Recurrent alcohol use in situations in which it is physically hazardous to consume alcohol.
• Continued alcohol use despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by alcohol.
• Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
  • A need for increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect.
  • A markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of alcohol.
• Withdrawal, as demonstrated by either of the following:
  • Characteristic alcohol withdrawal syndrome symptoms
  • Alcohol (or a closely related substance, such as benzodiazepine) is consumed to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol use disorder is rated as mild with the presence of 2-3 symptoms, moderate with 4-5 symptoms, and severe with 6 or more symptoms.