{"id":21900,"date":"2024-03-29T04:33:21","date_gmt":"2024-03-29T08:33:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lantanarecovery.com\/?p=21900"},"modified":"2024-03-29T04:33:21","modified_gmt":"2024-03-29T08:33:21","slug":"what-is-alcohol-dependence-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lantanarecovery.com\/what-is-alcohol-dependence-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding What is Alcohol Dependence: Signs, Effects, and Treatment Options"},"content":{"rendered":"
What is alcohol dependence? It\u2019s a condition where the urge to drink overrides the ability to stop, regardless of harmful consequences. Also termed Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), it encompasses varying levels of addiction and impacts health and personal relationships. This exploration will provide insight into its symptoms, the underlying psychological and physiological mechanisms, and effective treatments.<\/p>\n
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Alcohol dependence is a term that many of us have heard, but what does it truly mean? In essence, it describes a powerful craving for alcohol, a preoccupation that leads to an inability to control drinking behavior. But the terminology has evolved over time, and the term we now use is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), which encompasses alcohol addiction as well.<\/p>\n
The American Psychiatric Association\u2019s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) has integrated previously separate disorders, namely alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence, into AUD, with sub-classifications of mild, moderate, or severe. A person is diagnosed with AUD if they exhibit any two of the eleven criteria during the same 12-month period. The severity of AUD is defined by the number of symptoms, with mild AUD corresponding to 2 to 3 symptoms, moderate AUD to 4 to 5 symptoms, and severe AUD to 6 or more symptoms.<\/p>\n
One significant change in the DSM-5 is the introduction of craving as a new criterion for AUD diagnosis, while legal problems have been eliminated from the criteria. This shift in focus underscores the psychological aspects of AUD and moves away from the legal consequences of alcohol misuse.<\/p>\n
What distinguishes AUD from the previously defined alcohol abuse? The current terminology used in DSM-5, AUD, is prominently characterized by symptoms such as tolerance and withdrawal, marking a more severe condition of problematic alcohol use.<\/p>\n
The early signs of AUD can be subtle but telling. One key sign is alcohol tolerance, where a person needs increased amounts of alcohol to achieve the desired effects. This isn\u2019t about being a \u2018good drinker\u2019. It\u2019s a warning signal that one\u2019s body is becoming accustomed to alcohol, leading to the need for more alcohol to feel the same effect.<\/p>\n
Individuals with AUD often exhibit alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can range from mild to severe. These symptoms include anxiety, altered reward set point, and physical signs such as sweating, tremors, and insomnia. These are the body\u2019s responses to the absence of alcohol, a substance it has become dependent upon. This condition is known as alcohol withdrawal syndrome.<\/p>\n
Another concerning sign is an impaired ability to fulfill major obligations at work, school, or home, leading to substantial distress and functional impairment. This isn\u2019t about occasional slip-ups or a bad day at work. It\u2019s about a consistent and noticeable decline in one\u2019s ability to manage responsibilities.<\/p>\n
A core aspect of AUD is prioritizing drinking over other activities, responsibilities, and even social or hobby interests. When drinking alcohol takes precedence over everything else, it\u2019s a clear sign that alcohol is no longer just a part of life, but instead, it\u2019s starting to take over.<\/p>\n
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