Alcohol Use Disorder: Epidemiology

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) refers to a pattern of alcohol consumption that results in significant distress and impairment. To be diagnosed with an AUD, an individual must meet any 2 of 11 criteria in a 12-month period as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). In the DSM-5 conceptualization, the severity of an AUD is based on the number of criteria an individual meets (mild = 2–3, moderate = 4–5, severe = 6 or more). The DSM-5 combined two previously discrete diagnoses from the DSM-IV, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence, into a single-dimensional diagnosis of AUD. Notably, the “recurrent legal problems” criterion from DSM-IV alcohol abuse was removed, and “craving” was added. Because of the relatively recent publication ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles