Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)


Alcohol abuse and alcoholism, clinically known as an alcohol use disorder (AUD), is defined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) as “a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences.”
Other terms frequently used to talk about alcohol use disorder include alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, and alcohol addiction. Regardless of the words used to discuss it, alcohol use disorder is a severe and progressive disease that can have life-long and fatal consequences without proper treatment.
In the United States, alcohol is almost unavoidable in daily life and celebrations. Some people can control their alcohol use without a problem; however, many cannot.
Alcohol use disorder doesn’t always look like someone hitting rock bottom. It may look like someone using alcohol to self-medicate their depression or anxiety, a person going to happy hour at lunch every day, a college student binge drinking on the weekends, or nightcaps to unwind every night. Over time, the effects of alcohol dependence and misuse will escalate and cause long-term physical and mental health problems.
Treatments for AUDs have evolved to recognize and address all the factors that lead to it and the most effective evidence-based approaches to help people overcome and manage their alcohol use disorder in daily life. To understand the best treatment options for AUD, you must first know what they are, the importance of seeking help, and how to decide which treatment options best fit your needs.
Understanding AUDs
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the proper clinical term for problematic drinking behaviors ranging from mild, moderate, or severe. Most people use the term alcoholism to talk about alcohol abuse, but that word carries a lot of stigmas and lacks compassion and a complete understanding of AUDs and how complicated they are.
The American Psychological Association (APA) uses the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, currently in its fifth edition (DSM-5), to diagnose alcohol use disorders and determine their severity.
The 11 criteria for diagnosing an AUD are the following:
- Drinking larger amounts of alcohol or for a longer period of time than intended
- A desire but inability to stop drinking or control alcohol use
- Spending a lot of time obtaining, drinking, and recovering from alcohol use
- Cravings and strong urges to use alcohol
- Repeatedly failing to fulfill work, academic, and social obligations because of alcohol use
- Continuing to drink despite relationship problems with professional associates, social acquaintances, and family members surrounding alcohol use
- Neglecting recreational activities and hobbies for drinking
- Drinking alcohol in situations that can result in physical danger or harm
- You’ve continued to drink despite obvious negative consequences
- Developing a tolerance that requires more alcohol to feel the effects
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you do not drink alcohol

A mental health expert is the only person who can diagnose an AUD, which they will classify as mild, moderate, or severe based on honest answers to their questions.
Meeting 2-3 criteria is mild, 4-5 is moderate, and 6 or more is severe; a person can have countless combinations of the requirements, but there is no one size fits all diagnosis.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimates that 14 million adults in the United States have an alcohol use disorder, and 1 in 10 children under 18 live in a home with one or more adults with an AUD.
Although anyone can develop an alcohol use disorder regardless of race, age, social class, or anything else, some risk factors increase the likelihood of developing an alcohol use disorder.
Risk factors for developing an AUD include:
- Repeated binge drinking or heavy alcohol intake in short periods
- A family history of drug or alcohol abuse
- Genetic makeup
- Exposure to alcohol at a young age
- A history of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions
- Experiencing abuse, neglect, or traumatic events
- Peer pressure and societal pressure
These same risk factors can also lead to mental health conditions that alcohol misuse exacerbates. When mental health disorders and substance use disorders are both present, they are co-occurring disorders.
SAMHSA estimates that 6.5 million Americans have a co-occurring alcohol use disorder and mental health disorder. Co-occurring conditions require comprehensive, evidence-based treatment with a dual diagnosis treatment program.
Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Use Disorder
Long-term effects of alcohol use disorder cause physical and mental changes in people.
Common long-term effects of alcohol use disorders include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Worsening mental health symptoms
- Memory loss
- Ulcers
- Liver diseases
- Heart diseases
- Kidney diseases
- Nerve damage
- Dementia
- Chronically high blood pressure
- Weakened immune system
- Sexual dysfunction
- Infertility
- Behavioral disorders
- High rates of cancer
- High rates of physical accidents, homicide, and suicide
- Housing insecurity
- Financial issues
- Legal trouble
Depending on the length of the addiction, some of the long-term effects of alcohol will heal with time and treatment; others will require life-long care and management.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Most people who stop drinking after a long time of using alcohol will experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The severity of alcohol withdrawal will vary from person to person, but alcohol withdrawal is typically uncomfortable and intense; for some people, it can be fatal. You should seek medical advice if you plan to quit drinking.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Tremors
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Agitation
- Depression
- Confusion
- Changes in body temperature
- Increased heart rate
- Seizures
- Delerium Tremens
Medical detox is the safest way to get through withdrawal without risking your health or relapsing. Detox by itself is not sufficient treatment for alcohol use disorders; evidence-based treatments and behavioral therapies have to follow to ensure the best odds of recovery.
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Treatment
Treatments for alcohol use disorder will vary based on individual needs, including the severity of their AUD, dependence on other substances, and co-occurring conditions. Historically, inpatient treatment offers the most benefits due to its 24-hour immersive treatment approach that eliminates outside interference and interruptions.
Common, evidence-based alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatments include:
- Medication-assisted therapy (MAT) uses Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, non-addictive medications like naltrexone and acamprosate to manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce alcohol cravings. Some people may receive antidepressants or other medicines to treat co-occurring disorders.
- Behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy and other talk therapy address the roots of addiction and teach healthy coping skills and thought processes.
- Support groups like 12-step facilitation programs help build a sense of belonging and support systems that will last long-term.
- Family therapy involves family members in the recovery process and works to repair and rebuild relationships with improved understanding and communication skills.
- Relapse prevention planning compiles a detailed plan of action to overcome future recovery challenges without resorting to alcohol.
Addiction treatment centers will combine these and other proven therapies to treat people with alcohol use disorder in a way that leads to long-term recovery.

Treat Alcohol Use Disorder With White Oak Recovery Center
Compassionate, evidence-based substance use and co-occurring disorder treatment is available at White Oak Recovery Center if you or a loved one is struggling with an alcohol use disorder.
We offer onsite medical detox to ensure your safety through withdrawal in a calm, peaceful, and therapeutic environment. Once you conquer withdrawal, we develop an in-depth, personalized treatment plan that utilizes the many evidence-based treatments we provide for our residents, including individual therapy and support groups.
Our residential treatment facility includes chef-catered gourmet meals, flat-screen TVs in each room, and a pool with lounge areas to provide comfort during your stay with us. Our only goal is to provide you with superior, personalized treatment and an opportunity for a meaningful recovery.
Reach out to us now. Our caring treatment specialists are eager to help you start a new healthy, and happy life rooted in a lasting recovery.

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Your insurance may cover treatment. Call now for an entirely free and confidential assessment. Recovery starts with a phone call.
- “Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder.” National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Apr. 2021.
- “Understanding Alcohol Use Disorders and Their Treatment.” American Psychological Association, Mar. 2012.
- “Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Treatment.” National Library of Medicine, Sep. 2017.
- Bradford, Winslow and Onysko, Mary. “Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder.” American Family Physician, Sep. 2016.
- Witkiewitz, K et al. “Advances in the Science and Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder.” Science Advances vol. 5, Sep. 2019.
- Mar, Yonina and Kunins, Hillary. “Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder.” National Institutes of Health, Jul. 2020.
- “Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help.” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Aug. 2021.
- Kranzler, Henry, and Soyka, Michael. “Diagnosis and Pharmacotherapy of Alcohol Use Disorder: A Review.” JAMA, vol. 320, Aug. 2018.
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