Disease Insights: alcohol-use-disorder
Welcome to the ultimate guide on alcohol use disorder. Here, you'll find answers to the most common questions to help you or your loved ones understand and manage this condition better.
Description for alcohol use disorder
A chronic condition characterized by the inability to control alcohol consumption despite adverse consequences.
Symptoms of alcohol use disorder
behavioral changes, cravings for alcohol, inability to stop drinking, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms
Precautions for alcohol use disorder
Seek professional counseling, Attend support groups like AA, Avoid alcohol completely, Engage in a healthy lifestyle wit
Questions Covered:
- what is alcohol use disorder?
- causes of alcohol use disorder?
- What are the potential risk factors associated with alcohol use disorder?
- What are the usual symptoms of alcohol use disorder?
- How do doctors usually figure out if someone has alcohol use disorder, diagnosis?
- What are the ways to prevent alcohol use disorder?
Answers:
Question: what is alcohol use disorder?
Alcoholism, referred to as alcohol use disorder, occurs when someone drinks so much that their body eventually becomes dependent on or addicted to alcohol. There are different treatment plans available.
Alcoholism has been known by a variety of terms, including alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. Today, it's referred to as alcohol use disorder.
People with alcohol use disorder will continue to drink even when drinking causes negative consequences, like losing a job or destroying relationships with people they love. They may know that their alcohol use negatively affects their lives, but it's often not enough to make them stop drinking.
Some people may drink alcohol to the point that it causes problems, but they're not physically dependent on alcohol. This used to be referred to as alcohol abuse.
Question: causes of alcohol use disorder?
The cause of alcohol use disorder is still unknown. Alcohol use disorder develops when you drink so much that chemical changes in the brain occur. These changes increase the pleasurable feelings you get when you drink alcohol. This makes you want to drink more often, even if it causes harm.
Eventually, the pleasurable feelings associated with alcohol use go away and the person with alcohol use disorder will engage in drinking to prevent withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms can be quite unpleasant and even dangerous.
Alcohol use disorder typically develops gradually over time. It's also known to run in families.
Question: What are the potential risk factors associated with alcohol use disorder?
Although the exact cause of alcohol use disorder is unknown, there are certain factors that may increase your risk for developing this disease.
Known risk factors include having:
more than 15 drinks per week if you're male
more than 12 drinks per week if you're female
more than 5 drinks per day at least once a week (binge drinking)
a parent with alcohol use disorder
a mental health problem, such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia
You may also be at a greater risk for alcohol use disorder if you:
are a young adult experiencing peer pressure
have low self-esteem
experience a high level of stress
live in a family or culture where alcohol use is common and accepted
have a close relative with alcohol use disorder
Question: What are the usual symptoms of alcohol use disorder?
Symptoms of alcohol use disorder are based on the behaviors and physical outcomes that occur as a result of alcohol addiction.
People with alcohol use disorder may engage in the following behaviors:
drinking alone
drinking more to feel the effects of alcohol (having a high tolerance)
becoming violent or angry when asked about their drinking habits
not eating or eating poorly
neglecting personal hygiene
missing work or school because of drinking
being unable to control alcohol intake
making excuses to drink
continuing to drink even when legal, social, or economic problems develop
giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of alcohol use
People with alcohol use disorder may also experience the following physical symptoms:
alcohol cravings
withdrawal symptoms when not drinking, including shaking, nausea, and vomiting
tremors (involuntary shaking) the morning after drinking
lapses in memory (blacking out) after a night of drinking
illnesses, such as alcoholic ketoacidosis (includes dehydration-type symptoms) or cirrhosis
Question: How do doctors usually figure out if someone has alcohol use disorder, diagnosis?
Your doctor or healthcare provider can diagnose alcohol use disorder. They'll do a physical exam and ask you questions about your drinking habits.
Your doctor may ask if you:
drive when you're drunk
have missed work or have lost a job as a result of your drinking
need more alcohol to feel 'drunk' when you drink
have experienced blackouts as a result of your drinking
have tried to cut back on your drinking but couldn't
Your doctor may also use a questionnaire that assesses alcohol use disorder to help diagnose your condition.
Typically, a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder doesn't require any other type of diagnostic test. There's a chance your doctor may order blood work to check your liver function if you show signs or symptoms of liver disease.
Alcohol use disorder can cause serious and lasting damage to your liver. Your liver is responsible for removing toxins from your blood. When you drink too much, your liver has a harder time filtering the alcohol and other toxins from your bloodstream. This can lead to liver disease and other complications.
Question: What are the ways to prevent alcohol use disorder?
You can prevent alcohol use disorder by limiting your alcohol intake. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
, women shouldn't drink more than one drink per day, and men shouldn't drink more than two drinks per day.
See your doctor if you begin to engage in behaviors that are signs of alcohol use disorder or if you think that you may have a problem with alcohol. You should also consider attending a local AA meeting or participating in a self-help program such as Women for Sobriety.
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Conclusion & Takeaways
Learning about alcohol use disorder is the first step toward taking control of your health. By understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatments, you empower yourself to make informed decisions. Remember to consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice and support.