Alcohol Use Disorder: Warning Signs, Binge Drinking, and When to Get Help

For most adults, moderate drinking is probably not harmful. The risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD) depends on how much, how often and how fast you drink. Alcohol misuse — drinking that causes distress and harm — raises that risk over time.

What AUD is

AUD ranges from mild to severe depending on symptoms; severe AUD is sometimes called alcoholism or alcohol dependence. It is a disease marked by:

• craving — a strong need to drink;
• loss of control — being unable to stop once you start;
• a negative emotional state — feeling anxious and irritable when not drinking.

Binge drinking

Binge drinking is a kind of misuse: drinking enough at once to reach a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more — usually 5 or more drinks within a few hours for a man, and about 4 or more for a woman. Not everyone who binge drinks has AUD, but they are at higher risk.

The dangers of too much alcohol

• a higher risk of certain cancers;
• liver disease, such as alcohol-associated liver disease and cirrhosis;
• damage to the brain and other organs;
• harm to a fetus if drinking during pregnancy;
• greater risk of death from car crashes, injuries, homicide and suicide.

Could it be AUD?

You may have AUD if you answer yes to two or more of these about the past year. Have you:

• ended up drinking more, or longer, than you meant to?
• wanted or tried to cut down or stop, but couldn't?
• spent a lot of time drinking or recovering?
• felt a strong need to drink?
• found that drinking, or being sick from it, often interfered with family, work or school?
• kept drinking even though it caused trouble with family or friends?

7. given up activities you enjoyed in order to drink?

• gotten into dangerous situations during or after drinking — such as driving drunk or unsafe sex?
• kept drinking even though it made you depressed or anxious, or worsened another health problem?
• needed more and more alcohol to feel its effects?
• had withdrawal symptoms as it wore off — trouble sleeping, shakiness, irritability, anxiety, depression, restlessness, nausea or sweating, or in severe cases fever, seizures or hallucinations?

Any of these may mean your drinking is already a concern; the more you have, the more serious the problem.

What to do

If you think you might have AUD, see your health care provider for an evaluation. They can help make a treatment plan, prescribe medicines, and refer you for treatment if needed.

Sources

Based on "Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)," MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, with its summary from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism; a work of the United States government in the public domain.