AUD (Alcohol use disorder) is a chronic type of relapsing brain condition often known as alcohol addiction or alcoholism. It happens when a person starts abusing alcohol or when their body becomes addicted to it. Despite the unfavorable consequences, some people with AUD continue to drink.
As per the CDC, alcohol consumption disorder has three characteristics:
- Compulsive use of alcohol
- Complete loss of control over the alcohol intake
- While not using there is a negative emotional state
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Symptoms of AUD
The most evident indicators of alcohol consumption disorder are excessive or frequent drinking. There could also be other symptoms that an alcohol issue is forming.
These questions can help you figure out if you have AUD:
During the last 12 months whether you have:
- Consumed more alcohol for much longer than intended?
- You intended to reduce or tried tostop drinking, but you couldn’t?
- Invested your time only drinking or just dealing with your aftermath of drinking?
- You have experienced a strong urge or craving for drinking?
- Experienced family, home, or job issues due to either drinking or remaining sick from drinking?
- Did you continue drinking despite trouble with your loved ones?
- Neglected your once-loved activities and engaged in drinking?
- Dealt with certain dangerous situations after or while drinking on several occasions?
- You didn’t stop drinking despite it led to your depression or anxietyfeel?
- Continued drinking even after experiencing a complete blackout or any other negative health concerns?
- Increased alcohol intake for experiencing the same feeling of intoxication?
- Experienced withdrawal symptoms once the alcohol effects were gone?
If you have answered‘yes’ to a minimum of 2 of the above symptoms, then you are likely to be diagnosed with AUD.Your severity of AUD can be defined as:
- Mild: 2 to 3 symptoms are noticed
- Moderate: 4 to 5 symptoms are noticed
- Severe: 6 or even more symptoms are noticed
Alcoholism does not affect everyone who drinks heavily. Excessive drinking, on the other hand, can lead to addiction over time. Approximately 90% of heavy or even binge drinkers may not match the requirements for an alcohol addiction diagnosis.
What can cause alcohol addiction?
Alcoholism has yet to be identified as a cause. It usually runs in families. Some persons are more likely than others to develop such alcohol consumption disorder. The following are a few most common risk factors:
- Over drinking or binge drinking
- Dealing with certain mental health issues, like depression,anxiety, or schizophrenia
- During adolescence facing peer pressure
- Having low self-esteem
- Any close relative or having a very close relationship with a person having AUD
Alcohol consumption disorder usually progresses over time. Frequently, it begins as intermittent binge drinking and progresses to overdrinking. A chemical shift occurs in the brains of those who have an alcohol consumption disorder. This boosts the pleasure people get from drinking for a short time.
As a result, individuals feel compelled to drink more frequently, even if it will cause issues in their lives. After a while, the pleasure wears off, and they have to keep drinking for avoiding unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.