Alcohol Use Disorder Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a medical diagnosis used to describe people who have difficulty controlling their alcohol consumption. It can include physical dependence on alcohol, as well as severe psychological and social consequences of continued drinking. AUD affects millions of people in the United States and is responsible for significant social, economic, and health problems.The primary symptoms of AUD are cravings for alcohol, impaired control over drinking behavior, physical dependence on alcohol, tolerance to its effects, and withdrawal symptoms when not drinking. People with this disorder may also suffer from depression or anxiety due to their excessive drinking habits. They may experience blackouts or memory loss due to binge drinking episodes. In addition to these symptoms, people with AUD may experience serious health complications such as liver damage or an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer due to long-term exposure to alcohol. Treatment for AUD usually involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy along with lifestyle changes such as abstaining from alcohol altogether or limiting the amount consumed in one sitting. For some people cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be beneficial in helping them manage their cravings for alcohol by teaching them how to recognize triggers for wanting to drink and develop strategies for avoiding or resisting it when necessary. Motivational interviewing techniques can also be useful in helping someone remain motivated throughout their treatment process so they don’t relapse back into heavy drinking habits after completing treatment programs. Although making lifestyle changes can be difficult at first, the long-term benefits far outweigh any short-term discomfort that may accompany quitting drinking entirely or cutting back significantly on its consumption.