ALCOHOL ABUSE DISORDER

“When I was thirteen, friends would make fun of me if I didn’t have a drink. I just gave in because it was easier to join the crowd.

“I was really unhappy and just drank to escape my life. I went out less and less, so started losing friends. The more lonely I got, the more I drank. I was violent and out of control. I never knew what I was doing. I was ripping my family apart.

“Kicked out of my home at age sixteen, I was homeless and started begging for money to buy drinks. After years of abuse, doctors told me there was irreparable harm to my health.

“I was only sixteen but my liver was badly damaged and I was close to killing myself from everything I was drinking.” —Samantha


Alcohol is classified as one of the most addictive substances and/or drugs. It can be so devastating to become dependent on alcohol- to try and be free but still find yourself drinking more and more. 

Alcohol abuse disorder can simply defined as a problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by at least two of the following, occurring within a 12-month period:

1. Alcohol is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.
2. There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use.
3. A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain alcohol, use alcohol, or recover from its effects.
4. Craving, or a strong desire or urge to use alcohol.
   
5. Recurrent alcohol use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.
6. Continued alcohol use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of alcohol.
7. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol use. Risky Use of the Substance
8. Recurrent alcohol use in situations in which it is physically hazardous.
9. Alcohol use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by alcohol. 
10. Tolerance, as defined by either a need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication/ desired effect; or markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of alcohol.
11. Withdrawal, as manifested by the consumption of alcohol (or a closely related substance, such as a benzodiazepine) so as to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Severity and Specifiers 

Severity is ranges from mild to severe based on the number of symptoms :

Mild: two to three symptoms

Moderate: four to five

Severe: six or more symptoms

The quote from Samantha's story shows the many challenges that alcohol abusers face and what gets them addicted to begin with. For her story and those of other young people who have overcome alcohol addiction, please visit the following link: http://www.drugfreeworld.org/real-life-stories/alcohol.html

Reference

http://www.illinoispsychiatricsociety.org/education/Documents/Kanwischer%20Ron%20Addictive%20Disorders%20Update%20for%20DSM-5%2011-09-2013.pdf