Alcohol Use Disorder 0

Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder
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. It encompasses the
conditions that some people refer to as
alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence,
alcohol addiction, and the colloquial term,
alcoholism. Considered a brain disorder,
AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe.
Lasting changes in the brain caused by
alcohol misuse perpetuate AUD and make
individuals vulnerable to relapse. The good
news is that no matter how severe the
problem may seem, evidence-based treatment with behavioral therapies, mutual-support groups, and/or
medications can help people with AUD achieve and maintain recovery. According to a national survey, 14.1
million adults ages 18 and older1 (5.6 percent of this age group2) had AUD in 2019. Among youth, an estimated
414,000 adolescents ages 12–171 (1.7 percent of this age group2) had AUD during this timeframe.
What Increases the Risk for AUD?

A person’s risk for developing AUD depends, in part, on how much, how often, and how quickly they
consume alcohol. Alcohol misuse, which includes binge drinking* and heavy alcohol use,** over time
increases the risk of AUD. Other factors also increase the risk of AUD, such as:
• Drinking at an early age. A recent national survey found that among people ages 26 and older, those
who began drinking before age 15 were more than 5 times as likely to report having AUD in the past
year as those who waited until age 21 or later to begin drinking. The risk for females in this group is
higher than that of males.
• Genetics and family history of alcohol problems. Genetics play a role, with hereditability
approximately 60 percent; however, like other chronic health conditions, AUD risk is influenced by the
interplay between a person’s genes and their environment. Parents’ drinking patterns may also
influence the likelihood that a child will one day develop AUD.
• Mental health conditions and a history of trauma. A wide range of psychiatric conditions—including
depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder—are comorbid
with AUD and are associated with an increased risk of AUD. People with a history of childhood trauma
are also vulnerable to AUD.
* The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) to 0.08 percent—or 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter—or higher. For a typical adult, this pattern corresponds to consuming 5 or
more drinks (male), or 4 or more drinks (female), in about 2 hours.
** NIAAA defines heavy alcohol use as consuming more than 4 drinks on any day for men or more than 3 drinks for women.
What Are the Symptoms of AUD?
Healthcare professionals use criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth
Edition (DSM-5), to assess whether a person has AUD and to determine the severity if the disorder is
present. Severity is based on the number of criteria a person meets based on their symptoms—mild (2–3
criteria), moderate (4–5 criteria), or severe (6 or more criteria).
A healthcare provider might ask the following questions to assess a person’s symptoms.
In the past year, have you:
• Had times when you ended up drinking more, or longer, than you intended?
• More than once wanted to cut down or stop drinking, or tried to, but couldn’t?
• Spent a lot of time drinking? Or being sick or getting over other aftereffects?
• Wanted a drink so badly you couldn’t think of anything else?
• Found that drinking—or being sick from drinking—often interfered with taking care of your home or
family? Or caused job troubles? Or school problems?
• Continued to drink even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends?
• Given up or cut back on activities that were important or interesting to you, or gave you pleasure, in
order to drink?
• More than once gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased your chances of getting hurt
(such as driving, swimming, using machinery, walking in a dangerous area, or having unprotected
sex)?
• Continued to drink even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious or adding to another
health problem? Or after having had a memory blackout?
• Had to drink much more than you once did to get the effect you want? Or found that your usual number
of drinks had much less effect than before?
• Found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal symptoms, such as
trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a racing heart, or a seizure? Or sensed
things that were not there?
Any of these symptoms may be cause for concern. The more symptoms, the more urgent the need for
change.
What Are the Types of Treatment for AUD?

Several evidence-based treatment approaches are available for AUD. One size does not fit all and a
treatment approach that may work for one person may not work for another. Treatment can be outpatient
and/or inpatient and be provided by specialty programs, therapists, and doctors.
Medications
Three medications are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help people stop or
reduce their drinking and prevent relapse: naltrexone (oral and long-acting injectable), acamprosate, and
disulfiram. All these medications are non-addictive, and they may be used alone or combined with
behavioral treatments or mutual-support groups.
Behavioral Treatments
Behavioral treatments, also known as alcohol counseling or “talk therapy,” provided by licensed therapists
are aimed at changing drinking behavior. Examples of behavioral treatments are brief interventions and
reinforcement approaches, treatments that build motivation and teach skills for coping and preventing
relapse, and mindfulness-based therapies.
Mutual-Support Groups
Mutual-support groups provide peer support for stopping or reducing drinking. Group meetings are available
in most communities, at low or no cost, at convenient times and locations—including an increasing presence
online. This means they can be especially helpful to individuals at risk for relapse to drinking. Combined with
medications and behavioral treatment provided by health professionals, mutual-support groups can offer a
valuable added layer of support.
Please note: People with severe AUD may need medical help to avoid alcohol withdrawal if they decide to
stop drinking. Alcohol withdrawal is a potentially life-threatening process that can occur when someone who
has been drinking heavily for a prolonged period of time suddenly stops drinking. Doctors can prescribe
medications to address these symptoms and make the process safer and less distressing.
Can People With AUD Recover?

Many people with AUD do recover, but setbacks are common among people in treatment. Seeking
professional help early can prevent relapse to drinking. Behavioral therapies can help people develop skills
to avoid and overcome triggers, such as stress, that might lead to drinking. Medications also can help deter
drinking during times when individuals may be at greater risk of relapse (e.g., divorce, death of a family
member).
Need Help?
If you are concerned about your alcohol use and would like to explore whether you might have AUD, please
visit the Rethinking Drinking website.
To learn more about alcohol treatment options and search for quality care near you, please visit the NIAAA
Alcohol Treatment Navigator.
For more information about alcohol and your health, please visit: https://niaaa.nih.gov
1 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and
Health. Table 5.4A—Alcohol Use Disorder in Past Year Among Persons Aged 12 or Older, by Age Group and Demographic Characteristics: Numbers in Thousands, 2018
and 2019. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt29394/NSDUHDetailedTabs2019/NSDUHDetTabsSect5pe2019.htm?s=5.4&#tab5-4a. Accessed
November 6, 2020.
2 SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Table 5.4B—Alcohol Use Disorder in Past Year Among
Persons Aged 12 or Older, by Age Group and Demographic Characteristics: Percentages, 2018 and 2019.
https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt29394/NSDUHDetailedTabs2019/NSDUHDetTabsSect5pe2019.htm?s=5.4&#tab5-4b. Accessed November 6,
2020.
April 2021

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Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical

What Increases the Risk for AUD?

In the past year, have you:

What Are the Types of Treatment for AUD?

Can People With AUD Recover?

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