Signs and Symptoms of an Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol is one of the most commonly used recreational substances in the United States. While its legal status makes it ubiquitous in our culture, it's no less dangerous than other drugs when it's used excessively.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the official diagnosis of alcoholism. It's a medical condition in which an individual is unable to stop or control alcohol use even though they experience adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. 

It's considered a brain disorder and can be mild, moderate, or severe, with lasting changes in the brain caused by alcohol misuse perpetuating AUD and making you vulnerable to relapse.
What are the alcohol use disorder symptoms? How can you tell it apart from normal alcohol use?

Recognizing Alcohol Use Disorder SymptomsAlcohol use problems can affect multiple areas of your life, including your physical, behavioral, and mental health. It may be possible to hide or dismiss the early signs of an alcohol use disorder, but addiction is progressive and will eventually be difficult to ignore. Alcohol use disorders are officially diagnosed using the 11 signs and symptoms listed in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Recognizing the signs of alcoholism in yourself or someone else is important for early intervention. Alcoholism can progress to affect multiple areas of your life if it is ignored. Here are some alcohol use disorder symptoms that you may notice in yourself or a loved one:

Physical Symptoms 
Alcohol can have a significant impact on your body over time, but even some of the early signs are physical. Including the following:

• One of the hallmarks of addiction is the inability to control your substance use. It's common to have unsuccessful attempts to limit alcohol consumption or stop drinking. 
  
• You may also see that alcohol is taking over more of your time, as you spend a lot of time drinking or recovering from alcohol use. 
  
• You may also start to experience withdrawal symptoms if you don't drink. Withdrawal can involve tremors, headaches, irritability, restlessness, seizures, and hallucinations. 
  

Behavioral Indicators
Addiction often comes with behavioral signs. It affects your reward center and rewires your priorities to the point that drinking becomes the most important thing in your life. That can have some significant consequences, including the following:

• You may be unable to fulfill major obligations at work, school, or home because of alcohol use.
  
• Drinking overshadows other interests and hobbies. You may stop doing things you once enjoyed.
  
• Because you struggle at work or school, you might start to have money trouble, especially if you are spending a lot on alcohol.
  

Psychological Signs
Alcoholism and addiction primarily affect your brain and psychological health, which can have physical consequences. However, there are several psychological warning signs, including:

• Intense cravings for alcohol that are difficult to resist, even when you want to, are common.
  
• You may use alcohol in physically dangerous situations like driving or when it is illegal or socially unacceptable to do so.
  
• You continued to use it despite knowing it was causing physical or psychological problems.
  

Causes and Risk Factors of Alcohol Use DisordersThe causes and risk factors of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) are multifaceted and can include a combination of genetic, psychological, social, and environmental factors. If you meet some of these criteria, it doesn't mean you are guaranteed to develop an alcohol use disorder, but it might mean your risk is higher than average. Here's a summary of the main causes and risk factors:

• Genetic predisposition. A family history of alcohol addiction is a common factor. Having a family history of alcohol addiction can increase the risk of developing AUD. Up to half of your risk involves genetic factors.
  
• Teen drinking. Early initiation of drinking and patterns of binge drinking as a teen or younger significantly increase your risk of alcoholism.
  
• Mental health issues. Mental health problems like depression or anxiety increase your risk for AUD, especially if they are left untreated or ignored.
  
• Environment. Social and environmental factors include peer pressure, easy accessibility to alcohol, isolation, and poverty.
  

Seeking Alcohol Recovery Recognizing the signs of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is crucial for early intervention and increased chances of recovery. If you or someone you know is struggling with AUD, it’s important to seek professional help. Wings of Life is a trusted organization that can provide support and resources to individuals and families affected by alcoholism. Don't hesitate to contact Wings of Life for help and guidance on the road to recovery. Remember, it's never too late to seek help and take control of your life.
 
SourcesKoob, G. F. (2024, February 27). Alcohol use disorder: From risk to diagnosis to recovery. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol/alcohol-use-disorder-risk-diagnosis-recovery#pub-toc1 
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). Genetics of Alcohol Use Disorder. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-use-disorder/genetics-alcohol-use-disorder