Noah Vinter
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterised by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol consumption despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. AUD is considered a brain disorder and can be mild, moderate, or severe. It is often referred to as alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, alcohol addiction, or alcoholism. AUD can have harmful short-term and long-term effects on an individual's physical and mental health, social life, and finances. The treatment for AUD involves behavioural therapies, mutual-support groups, and/or medications. This paragraph aims to introduce the topic of alcohol psychology and provide an overview of AUD, its characteristics, impacts, and treatment options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol use disorder (AUD) | AUD is a medical condition characterised by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. |
| Alcohol dependence | Alcohol dependence is included in the DSM-5-TR umbrella definition of AUD. |
| Alcohol withdrawal | Withdrawal symptoms include trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a racing heart, dysphoria, malaise, feeling low, or seizures. |
| Alcohol and pregnancy | Prenatal alcohol exposure is toxic to the developing foetus and is a leading preventable cause of intellectual disability. |
| Alcohol and mental health | Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, antisocial personality disorder, and panic disorder increase the risk of alcohol use disorder. |
| Alcohol as a stimulant | Alcohol is a stimulant because it increases the heart rate as consumption increases. |
| Alcohol as a depressant | Alcohol is a depressant because it calms neural activity and slows body function. |
| Alcohol and gender | Women will reach higher blood alcohol content more quickly than men because they have less water weight per pound. |
| Alcohol and addiction | Addiction is a complex but treatable disease. |
| Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) | AA is a self-help organisation founded in 1935 that changed the way professionals thought about alcohol use disorder and treatment. |
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What You'll Learn
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterised by an impaired ability to stop drinking
- AUD is considered a brain disorder that can range from mild to severe
- Alcohol is a depressant that calms neural activity and slows body function
- Pre-natal alcohol exposure is toxic to the developing foetus and can cause intellectual disabilities
- Women reach higher blood alcohol content more quickly than men
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterised by an impaired ability to stop drinking
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) defines AUD as "a problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress". This includes an inability to stop drinking despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. The risk of developing AUD is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. For example, drinking patterns of parents may influence a child's likelihood of developing AUD. Additionally, certain mental health conditions, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, are associated with an increased risk of AUD.
AUD can cause lasting changes in the brain, making it difficult for individuals to quit drinking. However, with prolonged abstinence, some AUD-induced brain function changes may improve or even reverse. AUD is a treatable condition, and individuals can receive effective, science-backed treatment in various settings, including primary care. Treatment approaches may include behavioural therapies, mutual-support groups, and medications. It is important to note that setbacks are common among people in treatment, and professional help should be sought early to prevent a return to drinking.
AUD is a complex disorder, and effective treatment should address the multiple needs of the individual. A support system is an essential element in treating AUD, and mutual-support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) have been very successful in helping individuals achieve and maintain recovery.
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AUD is considered a brain disorder that can range from mild to severe
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterised by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. It is considered a brain disorder, with lasting changes in the brain caused by alcohol misuse perpetuating AUD and making individuals vulnerable to relapse. AUD can range from mild to severe, with severity based on the number of criteria a person meets based on their symptoms. Mild AUD is characterised by 2–3 criteria, moderate by 4–5, and severe by 6 or more.
AUD encompasses conditions such as alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, alcohol addiction, and alcoholism. It is defined in the DSM-5-TR as a problematic pattern of use with two or more of the following criteria over a one-year period: alcohol is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended; a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use; a great deal of time spent obtaining, using, or recovering from alcohol use; craving, or a strong desire or urge to use alcohol; recurrent alcohol use resulting in a failure to fulfil major role obligations.
The symptoms of withdrawal and tolerance have been associated with more severe AUD, although they are not necessary for diagnosis. Other symptoms of severe AUD include fever, seizures, and hallucinations. AUD can also be comorbid with various mental health conditions, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and panic disorder, which increase the risk of AUD. Additionally, people with a history of childhood trauma are vulnerable to developing AUD.
Several evidence-based treatment approaches are available for AUD, including behavioural therapies, mutual-support groups, and medications. Treatment can be outpatient or inpatient and provided by specialty programs, therapists, and healthcare providers. It is important to seek professional help early, as alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening and setbacks are common during treatment.
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Alcohol is a depressant that calms neural activity and slows body function
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, meaning it slows down brain functioning and neural activity. Alcohol is a drug that slows down brain activity, causing changes in mood, behaviour, and self-control. It can also affect one's coordination and physical control.
Alcohol binds to receptors for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter responsible for producing feelings of calmness and sedation, as well as the depression of the central nervous system that causes suppressed breathing. GABA slows down brain activity, resulting in slurred speech, relaxation, coordination problems, and drowsiness. Alcohol amplifies the effects of GABA on the brain's receptors.
The neurological effects of alcohol also include slowness in mental processing. It hinders the ability to think rationally and distorts perception and judgment. It also slows physical and mental reactions to stimuli and reduces inhibitions. The depressant effects of alcohol reduce stimulation to the brain, which is why alcohol is often referred to as a "downer".
The effects of alcohol on the human body and mind can be described as a biphasic response, meaning it has two distinct phases. Initially, as one starts to consume alcohol, there is an uplifting, stimulating effect. This is because the release of dopamine in the brain induces feelings of pleasure, increased sociability, and heightened confidence. However, as one continues to drink and the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises, the second phase of the response kicks in, and the depressant effects of alcohol start to dominate.
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Pre-natal alcohol exposure is toxic to the developing foetus and can cause intellectual disabilities
Prenatal alcohol exposure is toxic to the developing foetus and can cause intellectual disabilities, known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). FASDs are a group of conditions that can occur in a person exposed to alcohol in utero and can have lifelong effects, including psychological, behavioural, and neurodevelopmental problems.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the most severe form of FASD and is associated with brain anomalies, postnatal growth restriction, facial dysmorphology, and cognitive deficits. The global prevalence of FAS is estimated at 14.6 per 10,000 people, and it is one of the leading known preventable causes of intellectual disability. Even low levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, such as one beer a day, have been linked to decreased birth weight and spontaneous abortions.
Neurobehavioral Disorder associated with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (ND-PAE) is another diagnosis related to FASDs. ND-PAE is characterised by problems in thinking and memory, behaviour issues such as severe tantrums and mood problems, and difficulties with day-to-day living, including self-care tasks. To be diagnosed with ND-PAE, the mother must have consumed more than minimal levels of alcohol during pregnancy, defined as more than 13 alcoholic drinks per month or more than 2 drinks in one sitting.
Research has found that prenatal alcohol exposure of any severity is associated with greater psychopathology, attention deficits, and impulsiveness. Children with prenatal alcohol exposure have also displayed differences in brain structure, including greater cerebral and regional volume and surface area. These structural differences may partially explain the psychological and behavioural outcomes observed in these children.
It is important to note that there is no known safe amount or time to drink alcohol during pregnancy. All types of alcohol are equally harmful to the developing foetus, and brain growth occurs throughout the entire pregnancy. Therefore, the only way to prevent FASDs is to avoid alcohol entirely if one is pregnant or trying to conceive.
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Women reach higher blood alcohol content more quickly than men
Several factors influence how people respond to alcohol, including genetics, body weight, gender, age, beverage type, food in the stomach, medications, and state of health. Alcohol is quickly absorbed from the digestive system into the bloodstream, with the amount of alcohol in the blood reaching its maximum within 30 to 45 minutes. However, it is metabolized more slowly than it is absorbed, and the body can become more intoxicated as alcohol is consumed faster than it is eliminated, resulting in an increased blood alcohol level.
The standard drink volume is considered to be 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits, and all of these drinks contain approximately 15 grams or 1/2 ounce of alcohol. The lower the body weight, the less blood and water a person has. Therefore, smaller people usually have a higher ratio of alcohol in their blood if they drink the same amount as someone heavier. Intoxication typically occurs after two to three drinks but can happen more quickly with fewer drinks in a lighter person.
Additionally, men can generally drink more alcohol than women of the same size before showing the effects. The carbon dioxide in champagne or soda in a mixed drink increases the rate of alcohol absorption, causing a more rapid effect. The rate at which alcohol is absorbed also depends on how quickly the stomach empties its contents into the intestines. Foods high in fat take longer to leave the stomach, so eating a meal before drinking slows alcohol absorption and results in a lower blood alcohol level.
Some studies have found that women are more susceptible than men to alcohol-related impairment of cognitive performance, especially in tasks involving delayed memory or divided attention functions. However, psychomotor performance impairment does not appear to be affected by gender.
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Frequently asked questions
AUD is a medical condition that impairs an individual's ability to stop or control their alcohol consumption despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. It is considered a brain disorder and can range from mild to severe.
Risk factors include drinking at an early age, genetics and family history, and the amount, frequency, and speed of alcohol consumption. Binge drinking and heavy alcohol use also increase the risk of developing AUD.
Signs include continuing to drink despite negative consequences, giving up other activities to prioritise drinking, experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as trouble sleeping and nausea, and needing to drink more to achieve the desired effect.
Evidence-based treatments include behavioural therapies, mutual-support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and medications like naltrexone and acamprosate. Effective treatment attends to the multiple needs of the individual and utilises a supportive system.
Alcohol is a depressant that calms neural activity and slows body functions. It can lead to mental health issues, substance abuse, and increased risk of certain cancers. Alcohol can also reduce inhibitions, affecting behaviour and interpersonal relationships.
