Fast Five Quiz: Alcohol Use Disorder

The DSM-5 changed from differentiating alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence to a single category of alcohol use disorder. The DSM-5 criteria specify a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by two or more of the following, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:

Alcohol is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.
The patient has a persistent desire or has made unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use.
A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain alcohol, use alcohol, or recover from its effects.
The patient craves or has a strong desire or urge to use alcohol.
The patient has recurrent alcohol use that results in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.
The patient has continued alcohol use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of alcohol.
Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol use.
The patient recurrently uses alcohol in situations in which it is physically hazardous.
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.
Tolerance is demonstrated, as defined by either of the following:
- A need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect.
- A markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of alcohol.
Withdrawal is demonstrated, as manifested by either of the following:
- The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for alcohol is noted.
- Alcohol (or a closely related substance, such as a benzodiazepine) is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Specify if the alcohol use disorder is:

Mild: Presence of two to three symptoms
Moderate: Presence of four to five symptoms
Severe: Presence of six or more symptoms

Specify if the alcohol use disorder is:

In early remission: The individual who had once met criteria for alcohol use disorder has not met criteria for more than 3 months and less than 12 months (does not count the presence of cravings).
In sustained remission: The individual who had once met criteria for alcohol use disorder has not met criteria for more than 12 months (does not count the presence of cravings).

Another indication of an alcohol use disorder is the presence of alcohol-induced blackouts.

Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.

Cite this: Stephen Soreff. Fast Five Quiz: Alcohol Use Disorder - Medscape - Sep 02, 2020.

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