Alcohol use disorder (AUD)
What is alcohol use disorder?
Alcohol use disorder is a medical disorder which involves a pattern with alcohol. The condition can look different for different people. People with the addiction may not show all of the same symptoms, but it can be defined as:
1. Difficulty controlling how much you are drinking and binge drinking (heavy drinking)
2. Drinking frequently
3. Drinking causing problems in your daily life and your relationships
4. Needing to drink more and more over time to feel the same effects from alcohol
AUD can range from mild to severe depending on how much it is affecting your physical and mental wellbeing. However, even if you have a mild case of AUD, it is important to treat it in order for the condition not to get worse.
Alcohol use disorder includes a level of drinking commonly known as alcoholism.
How do I know if I or someone I care about has it?
If you are worried that you or someone you care about has AUD, speaking with a medical professional is a good idea. The doctor will ask about the history that he or she has with alcohol as well as the symptoms that are showing. These symptoms may include
- drinking large amounts of alcohol regularly - To understand more about sizes of alcoholic drinks and how much is considered too much, have a look at what is considered 1 drink by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
- having a strong craving for alcohol
- neglecting responsibilities due to drinking
- experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
Doctors may also ask questions about a person's drinking habits and perform physical exams or blood tests as well to understand the impact that alcohol has had so far on the body.
What is alcohol use disorder?
Alcohol use disorder is a medical disorder which involves a pattern with alcohol. The condition can look different for different people. People with the addiction may not show all of the same symptoms, but it can be defined as:
1. Difficulty controlling how much you are drinking and binge drinking (heavy drinking)
2. Drinking frequently
3. Drinking causing problems in your daily life and your relationships
4. Needing to drink more and more over time to feel the same effects from alcohol
AUD can range from mild to severe depending on how much it is affecting your physical and mental wellbeing. However, even if you have a mild case of AUD, it is important to treat it in order for the condition not to get worse.
Alcohol use disorder includes a level of drinking commonly known as alcoholism.
How do I know if I or someone I care about has it?
If you are worried that you or someone you care about has AUD, speaking with a medical professional is a good idea. The doctor will ask about the history that he or she has with alcohol as well as the symptoms that are showing. These symptoms may include
- drinking large amounts of alcohol regularly - To understand more about sizes of alcoholic drinks and how much is considered too much, have a look at what is considered 1 drink by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
- having a strong craving for alcohol
- neglecting responsibilities due to drinking
- experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
Doctors may also ask questions about a person's drinking habits and perform physical exams or blood tests as well to understand the impact that alcohol has had so far on the body.
Symptom list:
Alcohol use disorder (AUD)
Financial support
Not all of us are able to afford the treatment we need. Search your insurance coverage, or check out what charities may be able to offer you for your condition.
p.s. Just because you have insurance, that doesn't mean that charities or other organizations are not able to support you too.
Emotional support
Whether it's a free counseling session or to find someone with a similar diagnosis, these Germie approved charities might be able to help. Click to explore their offerings!