Alcohol Use Disorder
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, 2
Alcohol Use Disorder
Introduction
Alcoholism is one of the global public health challenges, which reports one of the
highest prevalence in the US and across the globe. Despite claiming lives of many, and being
a critical source of morbidities, alcoholism has become almost elusive to fight, with efforts
designed to curb the prevalence of the disorder reporting almost negligible output (). The
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports a progressive increase
in this disorder in the US, with 2022 registering a prevalence of 29.5 million in the US with
users aged 12 and above (NIAAA, 2023). The World Health Organization reports a global
prevalence of 283 million, of which 237million (83.8%) are males (WHO, 2022). Alcoholism
is ranked among major causes of global deaths, claming at least 3 million lives every year
(WHO, 2018). WHO (2022) identifies social-economic status as the major determinant of
alcoholism and its related morbidities, with countries in the developed world reporting
significantly shares of the problem. WHO’s statistics shows that European and American
regions post leading prevalence of alcoholism problem for both men (4.8% and 11.5%) and
women (3.5%and 5.1%) respectively (WHO, 2018). This paper explores this disorder, its
etiology, development, courses and proposes a ‘best practice’ intervention for alcoholism.
What’s Alcoholism
Alcohol used disorder (AUD, F10.20), also called alcoholism, alcohol dependence,
abuse or addiction is a condition characterized by preoccupation with, or uncontrolled alcohol
use. The disorder is sustained or precipitated by emotional, physical or psychological
dependence on alcohol, or a combination of these factors/influencers (Alcohol Rehab Guide,
n.d.). The DSM-5 TR diagnostic criteria for alcoholism include a maladaptive pattern of use
that leads to clinical impairment or bodily distress sustained co-occurrence of two or more of
the following symptoms within 12 months: regular alcohol intake in large amounts over a
period than originally intended, intention and attempt to cut down or quit drinking but failed
(more than once), uncontrolled alcohol cravings that preoccupies one’s thoughts, spending
too much time drinking or nursing aftereffects of drinking, diagnosis with problematic
drinking-directly responsible for domestic, school or job-related problems (NIAAA, 2021).
Etiology/Route path