Everyone has a different opinion about alcohol; some think of it as a part of their lifestyles while others find that abstinence is best for them. Nevertheless, although it may appear like a part of normal human life, there are those that have a problem with their alcohol intake. Figuring out if someone does have a problem with alcohol can be tricky, though, due to its widespread acceptance. So, how do you know when someone has alcohol issues and in need of a treatment?
A report by the University of Michigan Addiction Treatment Services stated that there are multiple factors that need to be identified in order to rule out if someone has a drinking problem, commonly referred to as alcohol use disorder (AUD). If you feel that you, or someone you know, may have issues with alcohol, then there are a few things you should know.
What is Alcohol Use Disorder?
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), an AUD is described as someone who has a negative emotional state when not using alcohol and a loss of control over their alcohol intake. In the U.S., it’s estimated that about 16 million people struggle with AUD.
If you believe you or a loved one may be suffering from AUD, there are a few questions you can ask, a simple alcohol use disorder identification test, such as:
- Were there times where you ended up drinking more than you initially planned?
- Have you experienced any form of strong cravings to drink alcohol?
- Have you been in a situation where you increased the chances of injury such as while using machinery, driving, swimming, unsafe sex or walking in a dangerous area?
- Have you cut connection with your loved ones just to be around people who drink alcohol?
- Have you given up on activities that you were once interested in?
- Have you found that when you aren’t drinking, you feel uncomfortable and sick?
- Have you tried to stop drinking but failed to do so?
If two or three questions are answered as yes, the patient will be diagnosed with mild AUD. If they answer four to five, they will be labeled…
