Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a diagnosable medical condition with a set of eleven criteria used in the process. AUD can be diagnosed as mild to severe.
Estimated watch time: 6 mins 15 secs
Summary:
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects an estimated one in 10 people who drink. As with other medical conditions, AUD has a set of criteria and symptoms that can be used to make a diagnosis. This video discusses the 11 criteria for alcohol use disorder. Diagnoses can be characterized from mild to severe, depending on how many of those criteria someone displays.
Video Materials:
Other Videos in Series:
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Transcript:
u003ch3u003eAlcohol Use Disorder Part 1u003c/h3u003ernu003ciu003eThis lesson on Alcohol Use Disorder is part one of a four part series. This lesion will be an overview. u003c/iu003ernrnAlcohol is one of the most widely used psychoactive substances in the world. Because it is psychoactive, it affects your brain. And according to a 2018 national survey on drug use and health, 86% of adults have drank alcohol in their lifetime. That is virtually everybody. 70 percent of adults reported they drank alcohol in the past year and 55.3 percent reported they drank alcohol in the past month. If you drink alcoholic beverages, even occasionally, you need to know the facts about alcohol use disorder.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/alcohol-abuse/u0022u003eAlcohol use disorder is a diseaseu003c/au003e.rnrnThe American Medical Association stated alcoholism, now alcohol use disorder, was an illness in1956. In 1987, the American Medical Association officially termed it a disease.rnrnAlcohol use disorder is not a weakness. It is not an issue of willpower. And it is not a mental illness.rnrnApproximately one out of ten who drink alcohol develop an alcohol use disorder. Some people who drink will never experience issues or problems with alcohol. Others who drink cannot seem to stop. And in that group, those with alcohol use disorder, the average alcohol consumption for those with alcohol use disorder, moderate to severe, averages 74 drinks a week or over 10 drinks a day.rnrnThe scope of the alcohol problem is huge. Data from the National Drug Intelligence Center talks about the prevalence of medical disorders across the United States. For example, the data tells us that 31 Million people have Tobacco Use Disorder, double that of the 15 Million Adults that have Alcohol Use disorder. Cancer impacts 14.5 million, and of course, many cancers are due to tobacco and alcohol use disorder. HIV and AIDS has 1.2 million cases.rnrnTragically, 88,000 people die annually from alcohol related causes. It is the fourth leading preventable cause of death in the United States. 50% of liver disease is attributed to alcohol use. And it is worth pointing out that less than 10% of individuals with alcohol use disorder receive any treatment.rnrnThe DSM-5 is a diagnostic manual put together to help categorize psychiatric and substance use disorder illnesses including alcohol use disorder, and all other substance use disorders.rnrnThere are 11 criteria for alcohol use disorder and depending on the number of criteria one has; the diagnosis will range from mild to severe. I will go through all eleven criteria.rnu003colu003ern tu003cliu003eAlcohol use disorder is defined as using larger amounts of alcohol over a longer time than intended.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ePlus, there are unsuccessful efforts to cut down on alcohol use or control.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eNumber three is, a great deal of time is spent obtaining, using, or recovering from drinking alcohol.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eCraving a strong desire to use alcohol.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eRecurrent alcohol use resulted in failure to fulfill major role obligations.rnu003colu003ern tu003cliu003eFor example:rnu003colu003ern tu003cliu003eA student is having trouble completing assignmentsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eOr alcohol is starting to impact one’s job or employment.u003c/liu003ernu003c/olu003ernu003c/liu003ernu003c/olu003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSix is continued alcohol use despite persistent or recurrent social problems.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eNumber seven. Important, social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up because of alcohol use.rnu003colu003ern tu003cliu003eI would rather sit home and drink or because you are drinking, you cannot participate because you are afraid of driving.u003c/liu003ernu003c/olu003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eRecurrent use in physical, hazardous situations.rnu003colu003ern tu003cliu003eDrinking and driving is what comes to my mind. But some individuals out there may operate heavy machinery and that could be a problem.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eBoating is another one, especially in the summertime.u003c/liu003ernu003c/olu003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eContinued use despite knowledge of having a persistent recurrent physical or psychological problem caused or exacerbated by use.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eIncreased tolerance. The need to have increased amounts to achieve the same effect.rnu003colu003ern tu003cliu003eIf in the past, two drinks gave you a buzz and you would just drink two beverages on weekends, tolerance would be evidenced by drinking 4 beverages every day. You now have tolerance because it takes you four drinks to get a buzz and you are drinking seven days a week.u003c/liu003ernu003c/olu003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/alcohol-abuse/how-long-alcohol-detox-take/u0022u003eWithdrawal either with withdrawal symptomsu003c/au003e or continued use to relieve or avoid withdrawal.u003c/liu003ernu003c/olu003ernThe genetics of alcohol use disorder are very strong and complex. Two genes, the ABH1B and ALDH2 both affect the metabolism of alcohol and seem to have the strongest relationship to alcohol use disorder.rnrnFor those individuals with these genes, they often metabolize alcohol more quickly. Thus, you do not get your “buzz” that you want until you are drinking far more alcoholic beverages than you need. Many other genes are also associated with alcohol use disorder. In addition, genes for depression and anxiety can contribute to this disease.rnrnA final reminder, if you have a family member with alcohol use disorder and you drink alcohol, you are at significant higher risk of developing an alcohol use disorder than the average individual.rnrnu003cbu003eOur next lesson will discuss how alcohol affects the brain.u003c/bu003ernrnThank you for choosing The Recovery Village. If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health or substance abuse and would like to find out more about the programs we offer, please reach out to us directly at u003ca href=u0022tel:855-387-3291u0022u003e855-387-3291u003c/au003e.
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