Addiction
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?

What Is
Alcohol Use Disorder?

According to the World Health Organization, alcohol use disorder is defined as a condition that results from repeated or ongoing alcohol use. Based on the diagnostic criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association in the DSM-5, alcohol use disorder is defined as a problematic pattern of alcohol use that leads to clinically significant distress or impairment in daily functioning, as indicated by at least two of the following symptoms within a 12-month period.

Common Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder

  1. Difficulty controlling alcohol use
  2. A persistent desire to cut down or unsuccessful attempts to stop drinking
  3. Giving higher priority to alcohol use over other activities
  4. Difficulty meeting responsibilities at work, school, or home
  5. A strong urge to use alcohol, often leading to continued use despite negative consequences
  6. Increased tolerance (needing more alcohol to achieve the same effect)
  7. Drinking more or for longer than intended
  8. Continued alcohol use despite ongoing or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or worsened by alcohol
  9. Recurrent alcohol use in situations where it is physically hazardous
  10. Withdrawal symptoms when reducing or stopping alcohol use

What Is Alcohol Withdrawal?

Alcohol withdrawal is a common condition among people with alcohol use disorder. It typically begins 6 to 8 hours after a significant reduction or cessation of prolonged, heavy alcohol use, most often within the first 24 hours.

Alcohol withdrawal is defined as the development of two or more of the following symptoms over a period of up to two weeks.

Withdrawal refers to the physical and psychological symptoms that occur when alcohol is no longer consumed. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and, in some cases, may be life-threatening.

Seeking professional support during this process is important to assess symptom severity and reduce potential risks.

Common Withdrawal Symptoms

  1. Elevated body temperature (hyperthermia)
  2. Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmia)
  3. Increased sweating and tremors
  4. Nausea or vomiting
  5. Headache
  6. Insomnia
  7. Anxiety and restlessness
  8. Emotional distress
  9. Perceptual disturbances (such as hallucinations)
  10. Seizures
  11. High blood pressure (hypertension)
  12. Difficulty concentrating

Health Effects of Alcohol Use

Risky alcohol use is one of the leading risk factors affecting global population health. It contributes to numerous diseases and places a significant social and economic burden on societies. Alcohol use disorder often co-occurs with a range of psychological and physical conditions. Individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorder are at increased risk of developing dependence on other substances and are associated with mental health conditions such as mood disorders, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and personality disorders. In addition, physical health problems include liver enlargement, fatty liver, jaundice, cancer, and cirrhosis, as well as high blood pressure, heart enlargement and sudden cardiac events, and vascular blockages.

Risky alcohol use impairs brain function, and these effects are frequently associated with difficulties in balance, reduced ability to perform tasks requiring skill, alcohol-related dementia, and memory impairment.

Alcohol lowers testosterone (male hormone) levels while increasing estrogen (female hormone) levels. It disrupts the body’s vitamin balance and leads to dehydration. By increasing fat storage, it contributes to weight problems as well as muscle loss and muscle weakness.

Risky alcohol use damages the nervous system and causes tremors in the hands, as well as tingling and numbness in the legs.

Alcohol is sometimes used with the belief that it enhances or facilitates sexual experiences; however, contrary to this belief, it leads to a range of problems.

Alcohol use during pregnancy results in delayed growth and development in the fetus.

Research indicates that approximately 3 million deaths worldwide are attributed to harmful alcohol use. Alcohol-related harms affect not only the individual but also family members and others in their social environment, contributing to various health conditions and social problems.

Effects of Alcohol Use on Children and Adolescents

Human development occurs in stages that involve social, physical, and cognitive growth, with each stage including developmental tasks that support progression into the next phase. Childhood and adolescence build on these earlier developmental stages and are marked by exploration, experimentation, and behavioral change. Adolescence, in particular, is characterized by increasing independence, stronger peer influence, reduced parental control, and represents a critical period for both identity development and the initiation of alcohol use. During this time, brain systems responsible for thinking, decision-making, planning, and social-emotional development are still rapidly maturing. Consequently, alcohol use disrupts these developmental processes in children and adolescents.

Risks of Driving Under the Influence

Research consistently shows that driving after drinking alcohol is unsafe, regardless of the amount consumed.

  • Road traffic injuries are a major public health issue and one of the leading causes of death and injury worldwide. Each year, approximately 1.2 million people die in traffic crashes worldwide, mostly in low- and middle-income countries, and millions more are injured or permanently disabled.
  • Alcohol significantly increases the likelihood of crashes involving drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
  • Drivers who have consumed alcohol are more likely to be involved in crashes compared to those who have not.
  • Alcohol impairs judgment, attention, and vision, increasing crash risk. It may also lower blood pressure and suppress breathing and consciousness.

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) can be measured through small blood or urine samples, or by analyzing exhaled breath. (World Health Organization, Drinking and Driving: A Road Safety Manual for Decision-Makers and Practitioners, 2007) 

Did You Know?

According to the World Health Organization’s Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health (2018):

  1. Around 3 million deaths in 2016 were attributed to harmful alcohol use, representing 5.3% of all deaths worldwide
  2. Among people under the age of 69, 7.2% of premature deaths are linked to alcohol. Alcohol is responsible for 13.5% of deaths among people aged 20–39
  3. Harmful alcohol use is associated with more than 200 health conditions
  4. Even low and moderate levels of alcohol consumption increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, liver cirrhosis, and certain cancers (OECD & European Commission, 2020) (European Commission & Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Health at a Glance: Europe 2020 – State of Health in the EU Cycle)

Recovery Is Possible!

Alcohol use disorder is a treatable brain disease. While stopping alcohol use can be challenging, support from trained professionals can help individuals better understand the recovery process and make it more manageable. The improvements experienced during recovery can strengthen motivation and support long-term change. For information about treatment options and recovery support, individuals, their families, friends, or acquaintances can contact the Green Crescent Counseling Centers (YEDAM). By calling the YEDAM helpline (115), free support is available from psychologists and social workers.

Treatment

Because alcohol is a psychoactive substance, recognizing problematic use or the development of alcohol use disorder may take time. Many people continue to drink at a social level before alcohol use disorder develops.

Individuals wishing to stop alcohol use, those seeking support for related challenges, and their families can reach out to the Green Crescent Counseling Center (YEDAM), alcohol and substance use treatment centers in hospitals (AMATEM), or psychiatry clinics for professional guidance and support.

  1. Treatment should be tailored to the individual’s needs
  2. The goal is complete abstinence from alcohol, which is particularly important for the diagnosis and treatment of any co-occurring mental health conditions.
  3. Long-term follow-up after treatment is essential, as individuals may resume alcohol use if they are not monitored after leaving the treatment setting. Regular psychological counseling and participation in support groups can significantly reduce the risk of relapse.
  4. Relapse is common, particularly within the first six months following treatment.
  5. Addiction is also a family disease; family members who gain a clear understanding of the disorder and learn effective communication skills can positively support the individual’s treatment process.
  6. Individuals who are not ready to receive treatment or support should not be forced. Instead, they should be informed about available resources, and the decision to engage in their own recovery should be left to them.

What You Can Do

  1. Help the individual understand the consequences of their actions.
  2. Keep in mind that alcohol use disorder is a disease, and change takes time. Learn effective ways to communicate and remain patient throughout the process.
  3. Educate yourself about available treatment options and discuss them openly with the individual.
  4. Offer support throughout their journey, highlighting that you can accompany them to treatment services to encourage participation.

What to Avoid

  1. Avoid approaches such as expressing hatred, hostility, cursing, scolding, or moralizing, and remember you are there to support the individual.
  2. Do not hide or ignore the problem, as doing so allows the alcohol use to continue and escalate, which can worsen the situation.

For more information:
tbm.org.tr
yedam.org.tr

References and Resources

For more information on the topics covered on this website, please see the sources below:

It is defined as the development of two or more of the following symptoms over a period of up to two weeks.