Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a medical condition that causes uncontrolled alcohol consumption and reliance on alcohol to function. Unlike other substance use disorders, AUD is typically harder to recognize due to the way alcohol consumption is a large part of socialization for Americans.
It’s important to note that not all alcohol use is considered alcohol misuse. This is because, with proper precaution and care, you can consume alcohol in a responsible manner that does not pose the risks associated with AUD.
That being said, alcohol misuse and dependence can develop quickly, even in someone who has practiced safe drinking habits in the past. “Abuse” and “addiction” (now referred to as “misuse” and “dependence”), though sometimes used interchangeably, are actually two different conditions.
Alcohol misuse is any use of alcohol that is dangerous or falls outside of responsible drinking habits. Though a person who misuses alcohol is not yet reliant on it to function, their drinking habits may interfere with multiple aspects of their life. Alcohol misuse can include habits such as binge drinking, blackouts, participating in drinking games, or drinking alcohol at inappropriate times.
Many times, alcohol misuse develops into alcohol dependence, which is associated with reliance on alcohol to function. When talking about alcohol dependence, you may hear the phrases physical dependence and psychological dependence. These are both parts of substance “addiction” (AUD).
Physical dependence occurs when your body starts to rely on alcohol to perform regular processes. Physical dependence causes withdrawal symptoms that are typically associated with AUD. On the other hand, psychological dependence occurs when you believe you cannot get through the day without alcohol and the thought of alcohol preoccupies your mind regularly.