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11 Signs You May Have Alcohol Use Disorder, and When You Should Seek Help

25/06/2018 - 10:20 AM


Enjoying a glass of wine at dinner or a few drinks on the weekend is usually no cause for concern; many people can drink in moderation [1] and continue to live happy, successful lives. Some people, however, can't just stop with one or two drinks — they find that alcohol interferes with their everyday life and often leads them into dangerous situations. If you fall in the latter group, you may be one of the 16 million US adults [2] who have alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Alcohol use disorder is newly defined in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [3], or DSM-5, the handbook used by healthcare professionals in the United States to diagnose mental disorders. The previous edition, DSM-4, outlined two different disorders: alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. The DSM-5, however, integrates the two into one disorder called alcohol use disorder.

To be diagnosed with AUD, you must meet two of the 11 criteria outlined in the DSM-5 and must have experienced symptoms within the last 12 months. The level of severity of the disorder depends on how many symptoms you have. The criteria are:

The presence at least two of these symptoms means you have an AUD. If you have two to three symptoms, it's considered mild; four to five symptoms is considered moderate; six or more symptoms is considered severe. If you don't fall into the severe category, a mild diagnosis can still warrant concern, as it may be the start of a larger problem.

If you think you may have AUD, be sure to seek treatment from a medical professional. Your primary care physician or a psychiatrist can formally assess your condition and outline a proper course of treatment. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism also has resources for finding and getting help [4] through its website.



Source URL
https://www.popsugar.co.uk/fitness/What-Alcohol-Use-Disorder-44716155