HOW DO I KNOW I HAVE ALCOHOL USE DISORDER? Alcohol use disorder facts

ALCOHOLISM | ALCOHOL ABUSE | ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE

There are half-truth and folk wisdom about use of alcohol like moderate alcohol intake is acceptable and may help to promote general health status while on the other hand alcohol is seen as a drug and should be avoided.[1] Alcohol has been widely used  in social, religious, medical and cultural setting [1] making it the third-most used drink after water and tea worldwide. [3]
 
Alcoholism or alcohol use disorder is a progressive and fatal disease characterized by alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. [1][2]

Alcohol abuse can be defined as continued drinking of alcohol in the presence of social, legal and health problems that comes as a result of drinking. An underage who partakes in drinking behavior may also be classified under alcohol abuse. [1]

Alcohol dependence is disorder in which an individual has developed both physical and psychological dependence to alcohol use. [5]

According to Centres for Disease Control and prevention, a standard drink contains:-

• One 12-ounces of beer (5% alcohol concentration)

• One 8-ounces of of Malt Liquor. (7% Alcohol concentration)

• One 5-ounces of wine. (12% alcohol concentration) 

• One 1.5-ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits or liqour. (40% Alcohol concentration) [7]

 Moderate drinking- not more than one drink for a woman and not more than two drinks for a man in a day. [7] Moderate alcohol intake has been linked with health promoting properties. It is associated with lowered risk of cardiovascular diseases and promotes insulin sensitivity in the tissue lowering risks to type 2 diabetes mellitus. [8]

Tolerance- is a way of brain adaptation to chronic alcohol use. The brain becomes less sensitive to the effects of alcohol and more alcohol is required to produce inebriation. A reverse tolerance to alcohol may ensue due to damage to the liver by chronic alcohol use. [6] Alcohol is primarily metabolized in the liver [2] and in the presence of liver damage, a small amount of alcohol produces rapid rise in blood alcohol level and rapid state of insobriety. [6] 

According to National institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, one may be diagnosed with alcoholism or alcohol use disorder if two or more of these criteria are fulfilled twice in one year:-

• Drinking higher volume of alcohol or taking much more time drinking alcohol than intended.
• One endeavors or wishes to stop or cut down on alcohol use but is unsuccessful. 
• One spends much time looking for alcohol, drinking it and even recovering from its effects.Bezzaire desire for alcohol. 
• One may continue the drinking habit despite the harm it poses to work, family, his health state or school program. 
• Drinking or health effect of alcohol interferes with ones ability to assume responsibilities at home, work or school.
• Drinking makes one cut down on chores that were of importance or interest or one no longer finds pleasure in activities found enjoyable previously. 
• Drinking makes one engage in activities that impose harm to self like drunk driving, unsafe sex e.t.c.
• One continues to drink alcohol despite the knowledge of being ill.
• Drinking much higher volume of alcohol than before in order to be drunk.
• Alcohol withdrawal symptoms precedes alcohol abstinence with resultant reinstatement. [4]

References:

1. National Institute of Health (US); Biological Svoences Curriculum Study. NIH Curriculum Supplement Series (internet) Bethesda (MD); National Institute of Health (US) 2007 -Information about Alcohol.

Address: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK20360/.

2. The definition of alcoholism. The Joint Committee of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and the American Society of Addiction Medicine to Study the Definition and Criteria for the Diagnosis of Alcoholism -PubMed-NCBI. Address:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1501306. By Morse RM, Flavin DK. 1992 Aug 26th.

3. Alcoholism -Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Address: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholism. Last edited: 03/07/2015 by Doc James.

4. Support and Treatment- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Address: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/support-treatment.

5. Alcohol Dependence -wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Last edited: 20th May, 2015 by Doc James. Address:https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_dependence. Viewed on 13/07/2015.

6. Alcohol Tolerance -wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Last edited on 10th June, 2015 by Hargup. Address:https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_tolerance. Viewed on: 13/07/2015.

7. CDC -Fact Sheets -Alcohol Use And Health -Alcohol. Address: http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm. viewed on 13/07/2015.

8. Alcohol: Balancing Risks and Benefits | The Nutrition Source |Harvard T.H Chan of Public Health. Address:http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/alcohol-full-story/. Viewed on 13/07/2015.