
Alcohol misuse is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States, after tobacco use and being overweight.What harm can alcohol use disorder cause? Out of every 100 women, 8 will have alcohol use disorder in their lifetime.Out of every 100 men, 17 will have alcohol use disorder in their lifetime.Alcohol use disorder is more common in men than in women.In the United States, 17 million adults aged 18 years or older have alcohol use disorder.Note: The drink limits listed above are for people who have not been diagnosed with alcohol use disorder, who are not pregnant, and who do not have a condition in which drinking may be harmful (such as liver disease).įor people who have been diagnosed with alcohol use disorder or who have a condition in which drinking may be harmful, even one drink may be too many. For liquor (80 proof), one drink is 1.5 ounces.For wine (12-percent alcohol), one drink is a 5-ounce glass.For beer (5-percent alcohol), one drink is a 12-ounce bottle.The amount in “one drink” depends on the type of alcohol: *From the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the U.S. Other things, such as having low self-esteem or being impulsive, may raise the risk of alcohol use disorder.ĭrinking beyond the limits* listed in the chart below may raise the risk of developing alcohol use disorder. A person’s environment may also play a role. The risk of alcohol use disorder may run in some families. You have to drink to ease or avoid the withdrawal symptoms.Īlcohol use disorder can be mild to severe, depending on the number of symptoms a person has.When you stop drinking, you have symptoms such as nausea, sweating, or shakiness or you feel restless, anxious, or depressed.You do not feel the same effects of alcohol from the amount you used to drink.You have to drink more than you used to in order to feel the effects of alcohol.You have developed a tolerance to alcohol.You keep drinking even though it has caused or worsened your physical or mental health problems.Your drinking has put you in danger (for example, driving while drunk, having unsafe sex, or taking part in other unsafe activities).Your drinking has caused you to stop doing things you enjoy.You keep drinking even though it has caused problems in your relationships with others.Your drinking interferes with your daily life and causes problems at home, work, or school.You have a strong craving or urge to drink.You spend a lot of time getting alcohol, drinking it, or recovering from its effects.You wanted to stop drinking or cut back but could not.You drink more or for longer than you intended.Symptoms of alcohol use disorder include:

It can be a long-term or lifelong condition and could come back after treatment. Understanding Your Condition What is alcohol use disorder?Īlcohol use disorder is a medical condition that happens when drinking alcohol causes serious problems. The report included 135 studies and was reviewed by health care professionals, researchers, experts, and the public. Researchers funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, a Federal Government research agency, reviewed studies on medicines to treat alcohol dependence and alcohol use disorder published between January 1970 and October 2013. † Although the legal drinking age in the United States is 21, the information in this summary is from research on people 18 years of age and older. * In this summary, the term doctor refers to your health care professional, including your primary care doctor, nurse practitioner, psychiatrist, or physician assistant. †† Needing to drink more alcohol to feel the same effect, not being able to stop alcohol use, and/or having withdrawal symptoms. ** Alcohol use that interferes with your daily life, affects your relationships with others, or puts you in danger.

They have now been combined into one disorder – alcohol use disorder – that can range from mild to severe. Note: Alcohol abuse** and alcohol dependence †† were once considered separate disorders.
