Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

What is alcohol use disorder (AUD)?

For most adults, light drinking is probably not harmful — but evidence from the WHO shows that no level of alcohol is fully safe. Your risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD) depends on how much, how often, and how quickly you drink. Alcohol misuse — drinking that causes distress or harm — can, over time, increase your risk of AUD.

AUD can range from mild to severe, depending on symptoms. Severe AUD is sometimes called alcoholism or alcohol dependence.

AUD is a condition that causes:

• Craving — a strong urge to drink
• Loss of control — not being able to stop once you've started
• A negative emotional state — feeling anxious and irritable when not drinking

What is binge drinking?

Binge drinking is a type of alcohol misuse — drinking enough in a short period to raise your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08% or higher. Typically this means 5 or more standard drinks for men, or 4 or more for women, within a few hours. Not everyone who binge drinks has AUD, but binge drinkers are at higher risk. Note: India's legal BAC limit for driving is 0.03% — much stricter than the binge-drinking threshold, so a BAC well below the binge level can still be over the legal limit for driving.

What are the dangers of too much alcohol?

Too much alcohol is dangerous. Heavy drinking can increase the risk of cancers — including mouth, throat, liver, and breast cancer. It can lead to liver diseases (fatty liver disease, cirrhosis), and damage the brain and other organs. Drinking during pregnancy can harm the baby. Alcohol also increases the risk of death from road traffic accidents, injuries, homicide, and suicide.

How do I know if I have AUD?

You may have AUD if you can answer yes to two or more of these questions.

In the past year, have you:

• Ended up drinking more or for longer than you had planned to?
• Wanted to cut down or stop drinking — or tried to — but couldn't?
• Spent a lot of time drinking, or recovering from drinking?
• Felt a strong need to drink?
• Found that drinking, or being sick from drinking, often interfered with family, work, or studies?
• Kept drinking even though it was causing trouble with family or friends?
• Given up or cut back on activities you used to enjoy, in order to drink?
• Got into dangerous situations while drinking or after drinking — such as drink-driving or unsafe sex?
• Kept drinking even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious, or adding to another health problem?
• Had to drink more and more to feel the same effects?
• Had withdrawal symptoms when the alcohol was wearing off? These include trouble sleeping, shakiness, irritability, anxiety, depression, restlessness, nausea, and sweating — and in severe cases fever, seizures, or hallucinations.

If you have any of these symptoms, your drinking may already be a cause for concern. The more symptoms, the more serious the problem.

What should I do if I think I might have AUD?

If you think you might have AUD, see a doctor for an evaluation. Your doctor can help make a treatment plan, prescribe medicines if needed, and refer you for specialised treatment.