Alcohol Use Disorder Fact Sheets

Common alcohol withdrawal symptoms include tremors, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and, in severe cases, seizures, and hallucinations. If you or someone you love is struggling with their drinking, it’s important to talk with a doctor, counselor, or other healthcare professional who can help. The term alcoholism is used to describe a chronic mental and physical health disorder in which a person cannot control their alcohol consumption, despite experiencing negative consequences. Characterized by liquor usage that leads to significant personal and relational stresses, alcohol use disorder is a chronic condition that’s dangerous when left untreated. Alcoholism is referred to as alcohol use disorder (AUD) in clinical settings and is a complex and often misunderstood condition that affects physical and mental health.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Left untreated, AUD often persists and gets worse over time. The limits are different for women and men because of known differences in how alcohol is absorbed, distributed and eliminated from the body. Therefore, screening is very important, whether primary care physicians or friends and family do it. Even though alcohol related disorders are very common, relatively few individuals recognize the problem and get help. When alcohol use suddenly stops, the body is not accustomed to being alcohol free.

• Drinking, even small amounts daily and occasional intoxication do not by themselves make a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder.
• If you think you may have alcohol use disorder, you’re not alone.
• Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the brain and other organs, and it also increases the chances of developing sleep problems, depression, and other mental health problems.
• Considered a brain disorder, AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe.

People with this condition can’t stop drinking, even if their alcohol use upends their lives and the lives of those around them. Care is integrated with patients’ other health care to improve treatment access, reduce costs, and promote better physical and mental health outcomes. Our specialists utilize a range of medication and behavioral methods with demonstrated efficacy for helping individuals change their drinking habits and maintain these changes long-term. If necessary, patients may receive intravenous fluids, vitamins, and other medications to treat hallucinations or other symptoms caused by withdrawal. The most severe form of alcohol withdrawal is known as alcohol withdrawal delirium or delirium tremens, often referred to as the DTs. This process, however, can bring about the unpleasant and potentially serious symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

How do I take care of myself?

• This condition affects millions of people.
• Even though alcohol related disorders are very common, relatively few individuals recognize the problem and get help.
• People can seek treatment and makechanges at any point in their journey.
• During an office visit, a health care professional will likely focus on the following.

Group meetings are available in most communities at low or no cost, and at convenient times and locations—including an increasing presence online. Several evidence-based treatment approaches are available for AUD. The more symptoms, the more urgent the need for change.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Yale Medicine’s approach to alcohol use disorder is evidence-based, integrated, and individualized. Medications can make detoxification safe while avoiding the worst symptoms of withdrawal. Medications, such as benzodiazepines, are given to help control withdrawal symptoms. Medically managed withdrawal or detoxification can be safely carried out under medical guidance. Symptoms (which are typically experienced in addition to others caused Alcohol use disorder by alcohol withdrawal) include delirium (confusion), high blood pressure, and agitation.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Alcohol treatment is an “off-label” use of topiramate, which means the FDA has not formally approved it for this use. An antiseizure drug called topiramate may diminish the reinforcing effects of alcohol. As an alternative, sometimes the drug disulfiram may be prescribed. Two medications that fit in this category are naltrexone and acamprosate. After weaning from alcohol, medication in some cases can help reduce cravings. Screening is important, because early detection and treatment can prevent dangerous complications.

Behavioral Treatments

Therapy for alcohol use disorder is personalized and based on the client’s needs. These symptoms typically begin within hours of the last drink, often while a person is sleeping. Mental health issues related to alcoholism can include anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, trauma disorders, and other substance use disorders. Physical health issues related to alcoholism can include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and damage to the brain, nervous system, pancreas, heart, and liver.

Your risk of developing an alcohol use disorder (AUD) depends on how much, how often, and how quickly you drink alcohol. Evidence-based treatments including behavioral treatments (therapy/counseling), medication, and mutual support programs can play a major role in treating AUD. About 30% of people with alcohol use disorder are able to abstain from alcohol permanently without the help of formal treatment or a self-help program.

Support for Family and Friends

Behavioral treatments—also known as alcohol counseling, or talk therapy, and provided by licensed therapists—are aimed at changing drinking behavior. A health care provider might ask the following questions to assess a person’s symptoms. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. People with severe or moderate alcohol use disorder who suddenly stop drinking could develop delirium tremens (DT). And medications and behavioral therapies can help people with AUD reduce alcohol intake or abstain from alcohol altogether.

Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the brain and other organs, and it also increases the chances of developing sleep problems, depression, and other mental health problems. People who have AUD may continue to use alcohol even though they know it is causing social, health, economic, and possibly even legal problems in their life. Friends gather for after-work drinks, spouses have cocktails together for “date nights” or some may just be in the habit of ending the day with a beer or a glass of wine—or two—or more. For many people, alcohol seems inextricably linked with a social life.

Heavy drinking in this population is four or more drinks a day or eight drinks a week. Heavy drinking in this population is five or more drinks in one day or 15 or more drinks in a week. When you think about medical condition symptoms, you may focus on physical issues like pain, fever or a cough that won’t go away. Studies show most people can reduce how much they drink or stop drinking entirely.

Recovery is a journey that you take one step at a time, one day at a time. Your treatment depends on your situation. They’ll use criteria laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), based on the symptoms listed previously. But alcohol is a chemical carcinogen. The American Medical Association recommends a two-drink daily limit for men. Advertising on our site helps support our mission.

You can also find virtual AA meetings to make it easy to get support despite a busy schedule. Many people find AA meetings useful and appreciate the nonjudgmental community, sponsorships and mentorships, and the step-by-step structure for recovery. AA was founded in 1935 and follows a 12-step model that emphasizes responsibility, spiritual growth, relationships, and community support. Some also benefit from medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Alcohol is metabolized at the rate of about one drink per hour and is detectable in the blood for up to 12 hours.

Treatment can be outpatient and/or inpatient and be provided by specialty programs, therapists, and health care providers. Severity is based on the number of criteria a person meets based on their symptoms—mild (two to three criteria), moderate (four to five criteria), or severe (six or more criteria). Alcohol misuse includes binge drinking and heavy alcohol use. A person’s risk for developing AUD depends in part on how much, how often, and how quickly they consume alcohol.

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