Materiały źródłowe

• #1 Alcohol Use Disorder: From Risk to Diagnosis to Recovery | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

  https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol/alcohol-use-disorder-risk-diagnosis-recovery

  Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as „a problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress,” and is diagnosed as mild, moderate, or severe based on the number of symptoms, out of a possible 11, in the past 12 months. […] AUD is a medical condition that is characterized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), as a problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress. AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the number of symptoms a patient has experienced in the previous 12 months. […] The DSM-5 defines AUD as a problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by at least 2 of the following 11 symptoms occurring within a 12-month period. The number of symptoms determines the severity: 2 to 3 symptoms for mild AUD, 4 to 5 for moderate, and 6 or more for severe.

• #2 Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Signs, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

  https://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol-use-and-abuse

  Drinking alcohol too much or too often, or being unable to control alcohol consumption, can be a sign of alcohol misuse and, in some cases, alcohol use disorder (AUD). […] To differentiate AUD from alcohol misuse and to reduce stigma around the condition, in 2013, the DSM5 integrated these terms into a single, diagnosable disorder called alcohol use disorder (AUD). […] Alcohol misuse refers to single episodes during which you might drink excessively. When this occurs repeatedly over time, and when it begins to impact your health and your life, alcohol misuse can become AUD. […] According to the DSM-5, you may have at least mild AUD if you’ve experienced at least two of the following in the last year: had times when you ended up drinking more, or longer, than you intended; wanted to cut down or stop drinking, or tried to, but couldn’t; spent a lot of time drinking, being sick, or getting over other after effects; wanted a drink so badly you couldn’t think of anything else; found that drinking or being sick from drinking often interfered with taking care of your home or family, or caused job or school problems; continued to drink even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends; given up or cut back on activities that were important or interesting to you, or gave you pleasure, in order to drink; gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased your chances of getting hurt; continued to drink even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious, or adding to another health problem, or after having had a memory blackout; had to drink much more than you once did to get the effect you want, or found that your usual number of drinks had much less effect than before; found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal symptoms such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a racing heart, or a seizure, or you sensed things that were not there.

• #3 Alcoholism – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholism

  „Diagnostic method Questionnaires, blood tests Treatment Alcohol cessation typically with benzodiazepines, counselling, acamprosate, disulfiram, naltrexone Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other Twelve Step Programs, AA/Twelve Step Facilitation (AA/TSF) Medically, alcoholism is considered both a physical and mental illness. Questionnaires are usually used to detect possible alcoholism. Further information is then collected to confirm the diagnosis. […] Because there is disagreement on the definition of the word alcoholism, it is not a recognized diagnosis, and the use of the term alcoholism is discouraged due to its heavily stigmatized connotations. It is classified as alcohol use disorder in the DSM-5 or alcohol dependence in the ICD-11. Misuse, problem use, abuse, and heavy use of alcohol refer to improper use of alcohol, which may cause physical, social, or moral harm to the drinker.

• #4 Alcohol-use disorder – Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | BMJ Best Practice

  https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/198

  Terms such as 'alcoholic’, 'alcoholism’, and 'addict’ are not clinical terms and are associated with stigma and so should not be used. Terms such as 'person with alcohol-use disorder and addiction’ should be used instead. […] Key diagnostic factors include presence of risk factors, withdrawal, tolerance, and increased/decreased liver size, jaundice, ascites. […] Other diagnostic factors include insomnia, erectile dysfunction, nicotine-use disorder, gastrointestinal distress, muscle cramps, pain, tenderness, altered sensory perception, hypertension and tachycardia, impaired nutritional status, and broad-based gait. […] Diagnostic investigations include diagnostic interview, alcohol level (breath and blood), and Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol, revised (CIWA-Ar). […] Investigations to consider include carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), FBC, and urinary ethyl glucuronide.

• #5 Alcohol Use Disorder – Diagnosis and Pharmacotherapy

  https://psychscenehub.com/psychinsights/alcohol-use-disorder-diagnosis-and-pharmacotherapy/

  Alcohol use remains one of the top 10 global risk factors for illness and disease. It affects males more than females and is responsible for around 5.9% of deaths worldwide (7.6% of men, 4.0% of women). Other health conditions associated with alcohol-related deaths include cardiovascular disease and diabetes (33.4%), injuries (17.1%), gastrointestinal illnesses (16.2%) and cancers (12.5%). […] Alcohol use disorder is the most common cause of death in men under 50, with heavy drinking and alcohol dependence causing the most significant burdens of harm. […] The DSM-5 defines Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) as a problematic pattern of substance use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, with two or more of the following presenting in the same 12-month period: Alcohol is taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended. Persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use. Significant time spent on activities relating to obtain or use alcohol or recover from its effects. Craving alcohol. Failure to fulfil role obligations because of recurring alcohol use. Continued alcohol use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of alcohol. Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of alcohol use. Recurrent alcohol use in situations in which it is physically hazardous. Continued alcohol use despite knowledge of recurring physical or psychological problems, likely caused by or exacerbated by alcohol. Tolerance which is linked to a need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve the desired effect or a markedly reduced effect with the same continued use. Withdrawal which is defined as either a characteristic withdrawal syndrome for alcohol or where withdrawal is avoided through the use of alcohol or a closely related substance (e.g., a benzodiazepine).

• #6 Alcohol Use Disorder

  https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/what-is-alcohol-abuse

  Your doctor may ask about your drinking habits and want to talk with your family and friends. They might also do a physical exam and order lab tests to learn whether alcohol use is affecting your health. […] The American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders says someone has alcohol use disorder if they meet two or more of 11 criteria in one 12-month period. AUD may be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how many of the criteria are true. […] The criteria are: Alcohol use in larger amounts or for a longer time than intended, A lasting desire or unsuccessful effort to cut down or control alcohol use, A lot of time spent getting alcohol, drinking it, or recovering from its effects, A craving for alcohol, Alcohol use that causes a failure to meet obligations at work, school, or home, Alcohol use that continues even though it leads to lasting or repeated personal problems, Giving up or cutting back on important activities because of alcohol, Repeatedly using alcohol in dangerous situations, Using alcohol even though you know it causes physical or psychological problems, or makes them worse, Alcohol tolerance, when you need more to have the same effect, Alcohol withdrawal.

• #7 Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Signs, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

  https://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol-use-and-abuse

  If you have a concern that you have AUD, you can see a health professional for consultation. They may ask you about your drinking habits and health history. […] There is screening that may help you recognize AUD in yourself or others. According to the NIAAA, AUD may be classified based on the following: Mild: experiencing two or three symptoms; Moderate: experiencing four to five symptoms; Severe: experiencing six or more of the above symptoms.

• #8 Alcoholism Clinical Presentation: History, Physical, Causes

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/285913-clinical

  The diagnosis of an alcohol problem is best made by the history. Laboratory tests have a sensitivity of no better than 50%, and physical examination is helpful only after the consequences of alcoholism are apparent. Early diagnosis based on a careful history can prevent such consequences. Physicians should use terms such as „person with an alcohol problem” rather than „alcoholic” or „addict,” which are commonly used but demeaning shorthand terms. […] Although the dangers of alcoholism are well known, data suggest that physicians frequently fail to make the diagnosis. Less than 50% of people who went to their doctor because of alcohol-related issues were asked about the problem. Multiple studies on medical inpatients and surgical patients in university and community hospitals, as well as outpatients in internal medicine and family medicine practices, show a low recognition rate and an even poorer treatment rate. The following are possible reasons that alcohol-related problems are missed during diagnosis.

• #9 Alcohol use disorder – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-use-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369250

  You’re likely to start by seeing your primary health care provider. If your provider suspects that you have a problem with alcohol, you may be referred to a mental health provider. […] To assess your problem with alcohol, your provider will likely: […] Ask you some questions related to your drinking habits. The provider may ask for permission to speak with family members or friends. However, confidentiality laws prevent your provider from giving out any information about you without your consent. […] Suggest lab tests and imaging tests. While there are no specific tests to diagnose alcohol use disorder, certain patterns of lab test results may strongly suggest it. […] Complete a psychological evaluation. This evaluation includes questions about your symptoms, thoughts, feelings and behavior patterns. You may be asked to complete a questionnaire to help answer these questions.

• #10 Problem Drinking and Alcoholism: Diagnosis and Treatment | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2002/0201/p441.html

  Alcoholism is one of the most common psychiatric disorders with a prevalence of 8 to 14 percent. […] Although associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, alcoholism often goes unrecognized in a clinical or primary health care setting. […] Several brief screening instruments are available to quickly identify problem drinking, often a pre-alcoholism condition. […] Alcohol addiction is a lifelong disease with a relapsing, remitting course. […] Because of the potentially serious implications of the diagnosis, assessment for alcoholism should be detailed. […] Alcoholism is treated by a variety of psychosocial methods with or without newly developed pharmacotherapies that improve relapse rates. […] Screening for problem drinking and alcoholism needs to become an integral part of the routine health screening questionnaire for adolescents and all adults, particularly women of child-bearing age, because of the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome.

• #11 Problem Drinking and Alcoholism: Diagnosis and Treatment | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2002/0201/p441.html

  Alcoholism often goes undiagnosed; the rate of screening for alcohol consumption in health care settings remains lower than 50 percent. […] This can lead to missed information about medical and psychiatric conditions, potential surgical complications, unexpected alcohol withdrawal symptoms, drug interactions, and lost opportunities for prevention, including intervention during pregnancy to prevent damaging effects of alcohol on the fetus. […] There are many reasons why there is a worldwide tendency for physicians to neglect or be unaware of symptoms and signs of alcohol abuse, but inappropriate attitudes, insufficient medical school training in this subject, and subsequent low confidence to treat are key elements. […] An important warning sign is clearly regular, heavy drinking. […] At-risk alcohol use, or problem drinking, is defined as more than seven drinks per week or more than three drinks per occasion for women; and more than 14 drinks per week or more than four drinks per occasion for men.

• #12 Problem Drinking and Alcoholism: Diagnosis and Treatment | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2002/0201/p441.html

  Heavy drinking is often defined as more than three to four drinks per day for women and more than five to six drinks per day for men. […] There are several brief, easy to use and score, screening instruments that are designed to identify problem drinking and alcoholism, and can be self-administered by a patient. […] The AUDIT is considered to be the most accurate test for identifying problem drinking. […] The CAGE questionnaire has consistently proved to be the superior instrument for detecting alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. […] Whichever questionnaire is used, lower thresholds for a positive result should be used for women, because women experience harmful effects at lower levels of alcohol consumption than men. […] A formal diagnosis of alcoholism can have enormous personal implications for a patient, therefore assessment should be detailed.

• #13 Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)

  https://auditscreen.org/

  The AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) is a simple and effective method of screening for unhealthy alcohol use, defined as risky or hazardous consumption or any alcohol use disorder. […] The AUDIT can also help identify alcohol dependence and specific consequences of harmful drinking. […] It is particularly designed for health care practitioners and a range of health settings, but with suitable instructions it can be self-administered or used by non-health professionals.

• #14 Alcohol Use Screening – My HealtheVet – My HealtheVet

  https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/alcohol-use-screening

  Your screen results indicate that you have few or no symptoms of alcohol dependence. […] Your screen results are consistent with minimal symptoms of alcohol dependence. […] Your screen results are consistent with many of the symptoms of alcohol dependence. You are advised to see your physician or a qualified mental health professional immediately for a complete assessment. […] The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test is a publication of the World Health Organization, 1990. […] The AUDIT-C is the subset of items on the AUDIT dealing with consumption of alcohol.

• #15 A Guide to Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Diagnosis

  https://www.bicyclehealth.com/blog/how-is-alcohol-use-disorder-aud-diagnosed

  The CAGE Questionnaire is a common screening tool used to identify if a person may have problems with alcohol and warrants further questioning. […] A score of 2 or greater on the questionnaire (with an answer of “yes” adding one to a person’s total and “no” adding zero) is considered clinically significant. […] A doctor can then use the deeper questions from the DSM-5, discussed earlier, if they deem it necessary to further check if a person might qualify as having AUD. […] Comprehensive assessments and interviews with healthcare professionals are the primary way to verify whether a person has AUD, to what severity and how best to help them. AUD is a mental health condition. While doctors can perform some tests to see if a person’s body may be suffering the effects of long-term alcohol misuse, it takes direct questioning and honest answers from a patient to learn what a doctor needs to know about their life, habits and thought processes.

• #16

  https://www.pepidconnect.com/Default.aspx?new=2&accessCode=Alcohol%20Abuse:%20Screening%20and%20Diagnosis

  Simple process for primary care physicians: Ask all patients about past and current alcohol use and family history of alcohol-related problems; Obtain detailed history of frequency and quantity of alcohol use; Use a standard screening questionnaire; Ask specific question based on answers to above. […] Screening questionnaires: CAGE-AID questionnaire; AUDIT-C; Other questionnaires: TWEAK; Full AUDIT; T-ACE; Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST); Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble (CRAFFT); Single Question Screen (SQS); Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ); Brief Michigan Alcoholism Test. […] Nursing Considerations: […] Obtain detailed history of current frequency and quantity of alcohol use. Use a standard screening questionnaire. Assess patient’s past and family history of alcohol-related problems. Know signs/symptoms of alcohol abuse. Assist with making arrangements for behavioral counseling.

• #17 One Minute Consult | How should one investigate a chronic cough?

  https://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/ccjm/screening-for-alcohol-abuse-10-2011/

  What is the best questionnaire to screen for alcohol use disorder in an office practice? […] Popular questionnaires to screen for alcohol misuse include the CAGE, the TWEAK, and the short form of the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT-C). Any of these is recommended. The important thing is to be proactive about screening for this very common and underrecognized problem. […] Alcohol use disorder, which ranges from hazardous drinking to binge drinking and alcohol dependence, is more common than admitted and often goes undiagnosed. […] The prevalence of alcohol use disorder ranges from 2% to 29% in a typical ambulatory primary care medical practice. […] And only one-third of people with alcohol use disorder are diagnosed. […] Studies and experience have shown that problem drinkers tend to not seek help until they have advanced dependence, often with associated medical and sociolegal complications.

• #18 One Minute Consult | How should one investigate a chronic cough?

  https://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/ccjm/screening-for-alcohol-abuse-10-2011/

  An answer of 6 to the first question or a total score of 3 or more denotes a problem with alcohol use and a need for further assessment. […] The cut-off score for the AUDIT-C is usually a total of 3 points for women and 4 for men: ie, a score of 3 or higher for women and a score of 4 or higher for men indicate alcohol use disorder and the need for further assessment. […] A concerted effort is needed to proactively screen for alcohol use. […] When screening for alcohol misuse, it is also important to consider factors such as age, sex, race or ethnicity, pregnancy, and history of recent trauma or surgery.

• #19 Alcohol Use Biomarkers | Choose the Right Test

  https://arupconsult.com/content/alcohol-abuse

  Approximately 20% of primary care patients in the United States drink alcohol (ethanol) at levels harmful to health. A blood-alcohol concentration over 250 mg/dL is considered toxic and may result in loss of motor function, impaired consciousness, respiratory depression, and death. […] Diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD) vary, but the most widely used criteria are found in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). […] The DSM-5 includes a list of 11 criteria for defining AUD with mild, moderate, and severe subclassifications. Mild AUD is classified as the presence of two or three symptoms over the past year; moderate, four or five symptoms; and severe, six or more symptoms. […] Laboratory testing is appropriate in the context of suspicion of alcohol use or exposure, trauma-related injury, substance abuse treatment monitoring, or follow-up testing to investigate other biomarker abnormalities that suggest alcohol use or exposure, including abnormalities in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) or in gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations.

• #20 Alcoholism Workup: Laboratory Studies, Other Tests

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/285913-workup

  Replication of such research in a primary care population is needed to show that biological measures aid the primary care clinician in detecting alcohol use disorders. […] Alcohol biomarkers are generally divided into indirect and direct biomarkers. […] Indirect alcohol biomarkers suggest heavy alcohol use by detecting the toxic effects that alcohol may have had on organ systems or body chemistry. […] GGT, AST, and MCV are the most frequently used indirect biomarkers. […] As a screen for alcohol dependence, the sensitivity/specificity of CDT is generally higher than AST, ALT, GGT, or MCV. […] The combination of GGT and CDT compared with GGT or CDT alone shows a higher diagnostic sensitivity, a higher diagnostic specificity, and a stronger correlation with the actual amounts of alcohol consumption.

• #21 Alcoholism Workup: Laboratory Studies, Other Tests

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/285913-workup

  A blood alcohol level might be helpful in the office if the patient appears intoxicated but is denying alcohol abuse. A blood alcohol level in excess of 300 mg/dL, a blood alcohol level of greater than 150 mg/dL without gross evidence of intoxication, or a blood alcohol level of greater than 100 mg/dL upon routine examination indicates alcoholism with a high degree of reliability. […] EtG is a minor, nonoxidative, water-soluble, stable, and direct metabolite of alcohol that is formed by the conjugation of ethanol with activated glucoronic acid. […] A 2006 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that the use of EtG should be considered as a potential valuable clinical tool, but the use of EtG in forensic settings is premature. […] Other direct alcohol biomarkers of emerging interest include acetaldehyde, fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE), Ethyl Sulfate (EtS), and Phosphatidylethanol (PEth).

• #22 Alcoholism Workup: Laboratory Studies, Other Tests

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/285913-workup

  Alcohol biomarkers are physiological indicators of alcohol exposure or ingestion and may reflect the presence of an alcohol use disorder. These biomarkers are not meant to be a substitute for a comprehensive history and physical examination by an appropriate health professional. Instead, alcohol biomarkers should be a complement to self-reported measures of drinking. […] In a population of psychiatric patients, research evidence has shown the usefulness of biological measures in the detection of alcohol use disorders when compared with patient self-report. A 2007 study of 486 consecutively admitted psychiatric patients showed a low correlation between self-reported consumption of alcohol and illicit drugs and biological measures; 52% of the patients underreported their consumption of illicit drugs when compared with urine toxicology screening results; 56% of patients underreported alcohol use as evaluated by carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT), and 37% of patients underreported alcohol use as evaluated by CDT + gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT).

• #23 Differential Diagnosis in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder: Why It’s Essential for Lasting Recovery – Constellation Behavioral Health

  https://www.constellationbehavioralhealth.com/blog/differential-diagnosis-in-the-treatment-of-alcohol-use-disorder-why-its-essential-for-lasting-recovery/

  Getting a differential diagnosis in the treatment of alcohol use disorder means carefully screening patients for any possible mental illnesses. […] The term differential diagnosis refers to the diagnosis of one or more conditions that have similar or overlapping symptoms. […] Mental health professionals must be able to differentiate between the symptoms of multiple conditions to make the most accurate diagnosis. […] A diagnosis is the first step in the treatment of any kind of illness. […] It is especially important to make a differential diagnosis so that patients with independent, co-occurring mental illnesses can be treated appropriately. […] If an existing, independent mental illness, like depression, is not diagnosed and addressed, the treatment for alcohol use disorder will only be partially effective. […] With a differential diagnosis, patients get better treatment and results. […] Lasting recovery depends on getting treatment for all mental illnesses and substance use disorder at the same time. […] Differential diagnosis is so important to long-term recovery for alcohol use disorder patients.

• #24 Alcohol And Dual Diagnosis: Mental Illness and Alcohol Addiction

  https://www.addictioncenter.com/alcohol/alcohol-dual-diagnosis/

  Many individuals struggling with alcohol addiction also face co-occurring mental health problems; this is referred to as having a dual diagnosis. […] Dual diagnosis is a term often used in clinical settings to describe the simultaneous presence of addiction and mental health conditions. […] Sorting these conditions out from alcohol use is not always easy and requires professional assessment to receive an official dual diagnosis. […] Depression and alcohol abuse is the most common dual diagnosis pairing, with a study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry finding that individuals with alcohol dependence are 3.7 times more likely to have major depression compared to the general population. […] This emphasizes the two-way effects of a mental disorder and alcohol. Alcohol can trigger or worsen low mood, fatigue, and feelings of shame that can lead to suicidal ideation, while those with depression can turn to alcohol and other substances to self-medicate.

• #25 Deal with a Dual Diagnosis: Substance Abuse & Mental Health

  https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/addiction/substance-abuse-and-mental-health

  When you have both a substance abuse problem and a mental health issue such as depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety, it is called a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis. […] Co-occurring substance abuse problems and mental health issues are more common than many people realize. According to reports published in the Journal of the American Medical Association: […] Roughly 50 percent of individuals with severe mental disorders are affected by substance abuse. […] 37 percent of alcohol abusers and 53 percent of drug abusers also have at least one serious mental illness. […] Of all people diagnosed as mentally ill, 29 percent abuse alcohol or drugs. […] Substance abuse and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety are closely linked, although one doesn’t necessarily directly cause the other.

• #26 Deal with a Dual Diagnosis: Substance Abuse & Mental Health

  https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/addiction/substance-abuse-and-mental-health

  Alcohol and drugs are often used to self-medicate the symptoms of mental health problems. […] Alcohol and drug abuse can increase the underlying risk for mental disorders. […] Alcohol and drug abuse can make symptoms of a mental health problem worse. […] It can be difficult to identify a dual diagnosis. […] The signs and symptoms also vary depending upon both the mental health problem and the type of substance being abused, whether it’s alcohol, recreational drugs, or prescription medications. […] Denial is common in both substance abuse and mental health issues. […] A substance abuse problem is not defined by what drug you use or the type of alcohol you drink, though. […] The mental health problems that most commonly co-occur with substance abuse are depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders.

• #27 Dual Diagnosis: Alcoholism and Mental Illness – Alcohol Help

  https://www.alcoholhelp.com/resources/dual-diagnosis/

  A dual diagnosis is best treated under the care of medical professionals in a rehab setting. […] There are many mental health conditions that can co-occur with alcohol abuse. […] Each mental illness affects alcoholism in a different way, depending on the longevity and severity of the disorder. […] Alcohol is sometimes used as a quick fix to suppress the signs of depression. […] However, self-medicating depression is extremely dangerous and can lead to life-threatening consequences. […] Quitting alcohol cold turkey can be detrimental to an individual’s health, as the body will crash after the high and go into shock. […] A person with bipolar disorder has a higher risk of developing a substance abuse disorder, such as alcoholism, than those who do not have bipolar. […] Studies show that these conditions are incredibly dangerous when they co-occur, as alcohol can exacerbate symptoms of bipolar disorder.

• #28 Dual Diagnosis: Alcoholism and Mental Illness – Alcohol Help

  https://www.alcoholhelp.com/resources/dual-diagnosis/

  Some individuals with OCD turn to alcohol. […] Relying on alcohol as a method to self-treat OCD can quickly turn into a dangerous addiction. […] The symptoms of dual diagnosis vary greatly depending on the mental illness, as well as the frequency and longevity of alcohol consumption. […] The most common symptoms of dual diagnosis include: Isolating themselves from family and friends, Changes in appetite, Loss of energy and motivation, Trouble concentrating or completing tasks, Neglecting personal or professional responsibilities, Increased irritability, anger or anxiety, Rationalizing excessive alcohol consumption. […] The sooner that symptoms of a dual diagnosis are recognized and treated, the greater the chance for a life-long recovery. […] There is no one-size-fits-all solution to treating a dual diagnosis.

• #29 Problem Drinking and Alcoholism: Diagnosis and Treatment | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2002/0201/p441.html

  Alcohol abuse and dependence have a variable course characterized by periods of remission and relapse. […] There are three major hurdles to overcome in the treatment of alcoholism: (a) physiologic dependence (symptoms of withdrawal), (b) psychologic dependence (alcohol used as treatment for anxiety, depression, stress), and (c) habit (the central part that alcohol occupies in the framework of daily living). […] Alcohol dependence is treated in two stages: withdrawal and detoxification, followed by further interventions to maintain abstinence. […] The severity of withdrawal symptoms increases with each withdrawal episode. […] Withdrawal severity and indications for pharmacotherapy can be assessed by the revised Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-Ar) instrument. […] After a screening questionnaire has identified problem drinking, the physician may question the patient further to determine the severity of alcohol misuse.

• #30 Alcohol Use Disorder: From Risk to Diagnosis to Recovery | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

  https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol/alcohol-use-disorder-risk-diagnosis-recovery

  Healthcare professionals can use an Alcohol Symptom Checklist based on these criteria to diagnose AUD and determine its level of severity in patients who screen positive for heavy drinking. […] One size does not fit all when it comes to treatment for patients with AUD. The good news is, there are more treatment and support options than many people expect. Healthcare professionals offer two evidence-based options AUD-focused behavioral healthcare and FDA-approved AUD medications. […] Alcohol withdrawal can be life threatening if patients who chronically engage in heavy drinking stop drinking suddenly, rather than cutting back gradually or stopping drinking with medical support. […] Detox can be a critical first step toward recovery but it is not, in itself, alcohol treatment. Treatment and continuing care for AUD are measured in months and sometimes years, not just a few days of detox. […] Recovery is a dynamic, individualized process through which a person pursues two clinical goals, cessation from heavy drinking and remission from AUD symptoms (except craving).

• #31 Alcohol dependence – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_dependence

  The spectrum of alcohol withdrawal symptoms range from such minor symptoms as insomnia and tremulousness to severe complications such as withdrawal seizures and delirium tremens. […] Treatments for alcohol dependence can be separated into two groups, those directed towards severely alcohol-dependent people, and those focused for those at risk of becoming dependent on alcohol. […] The ultimate goal when it comes to treating alcohol dependence or as the DSM-5 now calls it alcohol use disorder, is to help with establishing abstinence from drinking.

• #32

  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse/

  Alcohol misuse is when you drink in a way that’s harmful, or when you’re dependent on alcohol. To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level, both men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week. […] If someone loses control over their drinking and has an excessive desire to drink, it’s known as dependent drinking (alcoholism). […] A dependent drinker usually experiences physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly cut down or stop drinking, including: hand tremors „the shakes”, sweating, seeing things that are not real (visual hallucinations), depression, anxiety, difficulty sleeping (insomnia). […] You could be misusing alcohol if: you feel you should cut down on your drinking, other people have been criticising your drinking, you feel guilty or bad about your drinking, you need a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover.

• #33 Alcohol dependence – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_dependence

  Because only 3 of the 7 DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence are required, not all patients meet the same criteria and therefore not all have the same symptoms and problems related to drinking. […] Alcohol dependence is differentiated from alcohol abuse by the presence of symptoms such as tolerance and withdrawal. […] The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is considered the most accurate alcohol screening tool for identifying potential alcohol misuse, including dependence. […] The Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ or SAD-Q) is a 20 item clinical screening tool designed to measure the presence and level of alcohol dependence. […] Withdrawal from alcohol dependence can vary from mild, moderate to severe, depending on several factors such as: how long the person has been drinking, whether they are a binge drinker, whether they relapse chronically, and how much they drink daily.

• #34 Alcohol abuse: Definition, symptoms, treatment, and more

  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alcohol-abuse

  Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition in which a person continues to consume alcohol despite the adverse consequences. AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe. […] Other names for AUD include alcohol misuse, alcohol dependence, alcohol addiction, and alcoholism. […] Alcohol misuse can lead to various illnesses such as heart disease. People experiencing alcohol misuse disorder should seek medical attention. […] Alcohol misuse is the excessive consumption of alcohol. It is the inability to control drinking, even when it negatively affects a persons life. […] A pattern of excessive use may signal alcohol misuse. […] Common signs of alcohol misuse include: wanting to stop drinking but not managing to do so, hiding the extent of the alcohol misuse in order to protect it, being in denial about the extent of the alcohol misuse problem, diverting energy from work, family, and social life in order to drink, becoming distressed at the prospect of not having access to alcohol, engaging in risky behaviors (eg. drunk driving), slurred speech and poor coordination, impaired thinking and impaired memory.

• #35 Alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD): what is it and who gets it? | Alzheimer’s Society

  https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/types-dementia/alcohol-related-brain-damage-arbd

  ARBD is caused by a person regularly drinking or binge-drinking much more alcohol than the recommended limit. […] If a person regularly drinks much more than the recommended limit of alcohol, it can damage their brain. […] The two main types of ARBD that can cause symptoms of dementia are alcohol-related dementia and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. […] A person who has ARBD won’t only have problems caused by damage to their brain. […] About one in 10 people with dementia have some form of ARBD. […] It is likely for a wide range of reasons that the condition is under-diagnosed. […] ARBD affects men much more often than women.

• #36 Diagnosis for Alcohol Abuse: A Step-by-Step Guide – Calusa Recovery

  https://calusarecovery.com/blog/diagnosing-alcohol-abuse-a-step-by-step-guide/

  The DSM-5 outlines specific criteria for diagnosing AUD, helping professionals make accurate assessments and provide appropriate treatment. […] The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is the official guide used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental disorders. […] If you meet two or more of these criteria, you may have AUD. […] A diagnosis of AUD should be made by a qualified healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, based on a comprehensive assessment of the individual’s behavior and symptoms. […] Recognizing the signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse is an important step toward accurate diagnosis. […] Understanding these signs and symptoms can provide valuable insight into the presence of alcohol abuse and guide individuals toward seeking a professional diagnosis.

• #37 Diagnosis for Alcohol Abuse: A Step-by-Step Guide – Calusa Recovery

  https://calusarecovery.com/blog/diagnosing-alcohol-abuse-a-step-by-step-guide/

  Healthcare professionals rely on various diagnostic tools and assessments to accurately identify alcohol abuse. […] These diagnostic tools, along with clinical interviews and physical examinations, form the basis for an accurate diagnosis. […] Diagnosing alcohol abuse doesn’t rely on a single test. […] The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), outlines the diagnostic criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). […] It’s important to note that AUD is a treatable condition, and individuals who suspect they may have AUD should seek professional help and support.

• #38 Alcohol Use Disorder: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3909-alcoholism

  Studies show most people with this condition recover, meaning they reduce how much they drink, or stop drinking altogether. People do relapse. They may start drinking to cope with stressful events like losing a job, going through a divorce, or dealing with a death in their family or a close friend. […] If you think you may have alcohol use disorder, youre not alone. This condition affects millions of people. Realizing you may have an issue is the first step toward getting better, so dont hesitate to talk to a healthcare provider. Theyll recommend treatments and resources to help you recover from alcohol use disorder.

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