Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a clinical condition in which drinking becomes difficult to control and continues in patterns that cause significant problems or distress. It can range from mild to severe and does not look the same in everyone.

Alcohol Use Disorder is not simply another name for drinking heavily, being physically dependent on alcohol or having reached an obvious crisis.

AUD describes a pattern in which alcohol has begun to affect control, priorities, health, responsibilities, relationships or safety. Someone may repeatedly drink more than they intended, struggle to cut down, experience strong urges, give up other activities or continue drinking despite recognising that it is causing problems.

These changes can be present even when a person is still working, maintaining relationships or appearing outwardly well. Physical dependence, tolerance and withdrawal may occur, particularly as alcohol exposure becomes more sustained, but they are not required for AUD to be present.

Understanding AUD as a spectrum helps move the discussion away from labels such as “alcoholic” and towards the actual pattern, its severity and what may help.

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