BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuAlcohol use disorderAlcohol dependence; Alcohol abuse; Problem drinking; Drinking problem; Alcohol addiction; Alcoholism - alcohol use; Substance use - alcoholAlcohol use disorder is when your drinking causes serious problems in your life, yet you keep drinking. You may also need more and more alcohol to feel drunk. Stopping suddenly may cause withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptomsAlcohol withdrawal refers to symptoms that may occur when a person who has been drinking too much alcohol on a regular basis suddenly stops drinking ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Causes No one knows what causes problems with alcohol. Health experts think that it may be a combination of a person's:Genes Environment Psychology, such as being impulsive or having low self-esteemLong-term risks of drinking an excessive amount of alcohol are more likely if:You are a man who has more than 2 drinks per day, or 15 or more drinks a week, or often has 5 or more drinks at a time You are a woman who has more than 1 drink per day, or 8 or more drinks a week, or often has 4 or more drinks at a timeOne drink is defined as 12 ounces or 360 milliliters (mL) of beer (5% alcohol content), 5 ounces or 150 mL of wine (12% alcohol content), or a 1.5-ounce or 45-mL shot of liquor (80 proof, or 40% alcohol content).If you have a parent with alcohol use disorder, you are more at risk for alcohol problems.You also may be more likely to have problems with alcohol if you:Are a young adult under peer pressure Have depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or schizophrenia DepressionDepression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for shor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bipolar disorderBipolar disorder is a mental condition in which a person has wide or extreme swings in their mood. Periods of feeling sad and depressed may alternat...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Anxiety disordersGeneralized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental disorder in which a person is often worried or anxious about many things and finds it hard to control ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder. It can occur after you have gone through an extreme emotional trauma that invol...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article SchizophreniaSchizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it hard to tell the difference between what is real and not real. It also makes it hard to think clearl...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Can easily obtain alcohol Have low self-esteem Have problems with relationships Live a stressful lifestyleIf you are concerned about your drinking, it may help to take a careful look at your alcohol use.Alcohol useAlcohol use involves drinking beer, wine, or hard liquor.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Health care providers have developed a list of symptoms that a person has to have in the past year to be diagnosed with alcohol use disorder.Symptoms may include:Drinking more or longer than you planned to at times Wanting to or trying to cut down or stop drinking, but could not Spending a lot of time and effort to get alcohol, use it, or recover from its effects Craving alcohol or having a strong urge to use it Missing work or school, or not performing as well because of drinking Continuing to drink, even when it harms your relationships with family and friends No longer taking part in activities that you used to enjoy Getting into situations that can cause you to get hurt, such as driving, using machinery, or having unsafe sex while or after drinking Continuing to drink, even though it is making a health problem caused by alcohol worse Needing more and more alcohol to feel its effects or to get drunk (this is called tolerance) Getting withdrawal symptoms when the effects of alcohol wear off Exams and Tests Your provider will:Examine you Ask about your medical and family history Ask about your alcohol use, and if you have any of the symptoms listed above Your provider may order tests to check for health problems that are common in people who use alcohol. These tests may include:Blood alcohol level (This shows if you have recently been drinking alcohol. It does not diagnose alcohol use disorder.) Complete blood count Complete blood countA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Liver function tests Liver function testsLiver function tests are common tests that are used to see how well the liver is working. Tests include:AlbuminAlpha-1 antitrypsinAlkaline phosphata...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Magnesium blood testMagnesium blood testA serum magnesium test measures the level of magnesium in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Many people with an alcohol problem need to completely stop using alcohol. This is called abstinence. Having strong social and family support can help make it easier to quit drinking.Some people are able to just cut back on their drinking. So even if you do not totally give up alcohol, you may be able to drink less. This can improve your health and relationships with others. It can also help you perform better at work or school.Drink lessHealth care providers consider you to be drinking more than is medically safe when you:Are a healthy man of legal drinking age and drink:5 or more dr...Read Article Now Book Mark Article However, many people who drink too much find they can't just cut back. Abstinence may be the only way to manage a drinking problem.DECIDING TO QUITLike many people with an alcohol problem, you may not recognize that your drinking has gotten out of your control. An important first step is to be aware of how much you drink. It also helps to understand the health risks of alcohol.How much you drinkMany people with alcohol problems cannot tell when their drinking is a problem or out of control. It is important to be aware of how much you are dr...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Health risks of alcoholBeer, wine, and liquor all contain alcohol (ethanol). Drinking an excessive amount of alcohol can put you at risk for alcohol-related problems....Read Article Now Book Mark Article If you decide to quit drinking, talk with your provider. Treatment involves helping you realize how much your alcohol use is harming your life and the lives of those around you.Decide to quit drinkingThis article describes how to determine if you have a problem with alcohol use and offers advice on how to decide to quit drinking.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Depending on how much and how long you have been drinking, you may be at risk for alcohol withdrawal. Withdrawal can be very uncomfortable and even life threatening. If you have been drinking a lot, you should cut back or stop drinking only under the care of a provider. Talk with your provider about how to stop using alcohol.How to stop using alcoholDeciding to quit drinking alcohol is a big step. You may have tried to quit in the past and are ready to try again. You may also be trying for the ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article LONG-TERM SUPPORTAlcohol recovery or support programs can help you stop drinking completely. These programs usually offer:Education about alcohol use and its effects Counseling and therapy to discuss how to control your thoughts and behaviors Physical health careFor the best chance of success, you should live with people who support your efforts to avoid alcohol. Some programs offer housing options for people with alcohol problems. Depending on your needs and the programs that are available:You may be treated in a special recovery center (inpatient) You may attend a program while you live at home (outpatient)You may be prescribed medicines along with counseling and behavioral therapy to help you quit. This is called medication-assisted treatment (MAT). While MAT doesn't work for everyone, it is another option in treating the disorder. These medicines are often used for MAT.Acamprosate helps reduce cravings and dependence on alcohol in people who have recently stopped drinking. Disulfiram should only be used after you stop drinking. It causes a very bad reaction when you drink, which helps prevent you from drinking. Naltrexone blocks pleasurable feelings of intoxication, which may help you cut back or stop drinking.It's a common misconception that taking medicine to treat alcohol use disorder is trading one addiction for another. These medicines are not addictive. They can help some people manage the disorder, just as people with diabetes or heart disease take medicine to treat their condition.Drinking may mask depression or other mood or anxiety disorders. If you have a mood disorder, it may become more noticeable when you stop drinking. Your provider will treat any mental disorders in addition to your alcohol treatment.Drinking significantly may also cause depression and anxiety. You need to stop drinking for at least a month to see if these symptoms get better and do not need further treatment. Support Groups Support groups help many people who are dealing with alcohol use. Talk to your provider about a support group that might be right for you.Support groupsThe following organizations are good resources for information on alcohol use disorder:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- www. cdc. gov/al...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) How well a person does depends on whether they can successfully cut back or stop drinking. It may take several tries to stop drinking for good. If you are struggling to quit, do not give up hope. Getting treatment, if needed, along with support and encouragement from support groups and those around you can help you remain sober. Possible Complications Alcohol use disorder can increase your risk of many health problems, including:Bleeding in the digestive tract Brain cell damage A brain disorder called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome Wernicke-Korsakoff syndromeWernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a brain disorder due to vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, liver, colon, and breast Changes in the menstrual cycle Delirium tremens (DTs) Delirium tremens (DTs)Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal. It involves sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Dementia and memory loss DementiaDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Depression and suicide DepressionDepression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for shor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Erectile dysfunction Heart damage High blood pressure Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) PancreatitisAcute pancreatitis is sudden swelling and inflammation of the pancreas.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Liver disease, including cirrhosis CirrhosisCirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nerve and brain damage Nerve and brain damageAlcoholic neuropathy is damage to the nerves that results from excessive drinking of alcohol.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Poor nutrition Sleeping problems (insomnia) InsomniaInsomnia is trouble falling asleep, staying asleep through the night, or waking up too early in the morning. Episodes of insomnia may come and go or ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Alcohol use also increases your risk for violence.Drinking alcohol while you are pregnant can lead to severe birth defects in your baby. This is called fetal alcohol syndrome. Drinking alcohol while you are breastfeeding can also cause problems for your baby.Fetal alcohol syndromeFetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a collection of growth, mental, and physical problems that may occur in a baby when a mother drinks alcohol during pr...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Talk with your provider if you or someone you know may have an alcohol problem.Seek immediate medical care or call 911 or the local emergency number if you or someone you know has an alcohol problem and develops severe confusion, seizures, or bleeding.If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also call 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK). The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support 24/7, anytime day or night. Prevention The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends:Women should not drink more than 1 drink per day Men should not drink more than 2 drinks per dayOpen ReferencesReferencesAmerican Psychiatric Association. Substance-related and addictive disorders. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2022:chap 16.Reus VI, Fochtmann LJ, Bukstein O, et al. The American Psychiatric Association practice guideline for the pharmacological treatment of patients with alcohol use disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 2018;175(1):86-90. PMID: 29301420 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29301420/.Sherin K, Seikel S, Hale S. Alcohol use disorders. In: Rakel RE, Rakel DP, eds. Textbook of Family Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 48.US Preventive Services Task Force, Curry SJ, Krist AH, et al. Screening and behavioral counseling interventions to reduce unhealthy alcohol use in adolescents and adults: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2018;320(18):1899-1909. PMID: 30422199 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30422199/.Witkiewitz K, Litten RZ, Leggio L. Advances in the science and treatment of alcohol use disorder. Sci Adv. 2019;5(9):eaax4043. Published September 25, 2019. PMID: 31579824 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31579824/.AllVideoImagesTogAlcoholic liver diseaseAnimation Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersAlcoholic liver disease - Animation Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to dangerous damage called alcoholic liver disease. Let's talk today about alcoholic liver disease. Alcoholic liver disease usually occurs after years of drinking too much. The longer you've abused alcohol, and the more alcohol you've consumed, the greater likelihood you will develop liver disease. Alcohol may cause swelling and inflammation in your liver, or something called hepatitis. Over time, this can lead to scarring and cirrhosis of the liver, which is the final phase of alcoholic liver disease. The damage caused by cirrhosis is unfortunately irreversible. To determine if you have alcoholic liver disease your doctor will probably test your blood, take a biopsy of the liver, and do a liver function test. You should also have other tests to rule out other diseases that could be causing your symptoms. Your symptoms may vary depending upon the severity of your disease. Usually, symptoms are worse after a recent period of heavy drinking. In fact, you may not even have symptoms until the disease is pretty advanced. Generally, symptoms of alcoholic liver disease include abdominal pain and tenderness, dry mouth and increased thirst, fatigue, jaundice (which is yellowing of the skin), loss of appetite, and nausea. Your skin may look abnormally dark or light. Your feet or hands may look red. You may notice small, red, spider-like blood vessels on your skin. You may have abnormal bleeding. Your stools might be dark, bloody, black, or tarry. You may have frequent nosebleeds or bleeding gums. You may vomit blood or material that looks like coffee grounds. Alcoholic liver disease also can affect your brain and nervous system. Symptoms include agitation, changing mood, confusion, and pain, numbness, or a tingling sensation in your arms or legs. The most important part of treatment is to stop drinking alcohol completely. If you don't have liver cirrhosis yet, your liver can actually heal itself, that is, if you stop drinking alcohol. You may need an alcohol rehabilitation program or counseling to break free from alcohol. Vitamins, especially B-complex vitamins and folic acid, can help reverse malnutrition. If cirrhosis develops, you will need to manage the problems it can cause. It may even lead to needing a liver transplant.Liver cirrhosis - CT scan - illustration A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing cirrhosis of the liver.Liver cirrhosis - CT scanillustrationFatty liver - CT scan - illustration A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing a fatty liver (steatosis of the liver). Note the liver enlargement and dark color compared with the spleen (gray body in lower right).Fatty liver - CT scanillustrationLiver with disproportional fattening - CT scan - illustration A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing disproportional steatosis (fattening) of the liver.Liver with disproportional fattening - CT scanillustrationAlcoholism - illustration Alcoholism is a chronic illness marked by dependence on alcohol consumption that interferes with physical or mental health, and social, family or job responsibilities. This addiction can lead to liver, circulatory and neurological problems. Pregnant women who drink alcohol in any amount may harm the fetus.AlcoholismillustrationAlcohol use disorder - illustration Alcohol use disorder is a chronic illness marked by alcohol consumption that interferes with physical or mental health, and social, family or job responsibilities. Over time this use can lead to liver, circulatory, and neurological problems. Pregnant women who drink alcohol in any amount may harm the fetus.Alcohol use disorderillustrationAlcohol and diet - illustration Alcohol is considered a macronutrient in that it provides energy (about 7 calories per gram). The equivalent of a 1-ounce shot of liquor is approximately 80 to 90 calories.Alcohol and dietillustrationLiver anatomy - illustration The liver serves a wide variety of body functions, including detoxifying blood and producing bile that aids in digestion.Liver anatomyillustrationAlcoholic liver diseaseAnimation Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersAlcoholic liver disease - Animation Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to dangerous damage called alcoholic liver disease. Let's talk today about alcoholic liver disease. Alcoholic liver disease usually occurs after years of drinking too much. The longer you've abused alcohol, and the more alcohol you've consumed, the greater likelihood you will develop liver disease. Alcohol may cause swelling and inflammation in your liver, or something called hepatitis. Over time, this can lead to scarring and cirrhosis of the liver, which is the final phase of alcoholic liver disease. The damage caused by cirrhosis is unfortunately irreversible. To determine if you have alcoholic liver disease your doctor will probably test your blood, take a biopsy of the liver, and do a liver function test. You should also have other tests to rule out other diseases that could be causing your symptoms. Your symptoms may vary depending upon the severity of your disease. Usually, symptoms are worse after a recent period of heavy drinking. In fact, you may not even have symptoms until the disease is pretty advanced. Generally, symptoms of alcoholic liver disease include abdominal pain and tenderness, dry mouth and increased thirst, fatigue, jaundice (which is yellowing of the skin), loss of appetite, and nausea. Your skin may look abnormally dark or light. Your feet or hands may look red. You may notice small, red, spider-like blood vessels on your skin. You may have abnormal bleeding. Your stools might be dark, bloody, black, or tarry. You may have frequent nosebleeds or bleeding gums. You may vomit blood or material that looks like coffee grounds. Alcoholic liver disease also can affect your brain and nervous system. Symptoms include agitation, changing mood, confusion, and pain, numbness, or a tingling sensation in your arms or legs. The most important part of treatment is to stop drinking alcohol completely. If you don't have liver cirrhosis yet, your liver can actually heal itself, that is, if you stop drinking alcohol. You may need an alcohol rehabilitation program or counseling to break free from alcohol. Vitamins, especially B-complex vitamins and folic acid, can help reverse malnutrition. If cirrhosis develops, you will need to manage the problems it can cause. It may even lead to needing a liver transplant.Liver cirrhosis - CT scan - illustration A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing cirrhosis of the liver.Liver cirrhosis - CT scanillustrationFatty liver - CT scan - illustration A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing a fatty liver (steatosis of the liver). Note the liver enlargement and dark color compared with the spleen (gray body in lower right).Fatty liver - CT scanillustrationLiver with disproportional fattening - CT scan - illustration A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing disproportional steatosis (fattening) of the liver.Liver with disproportional fattening - CT scanillustrationAlcoholism - illustration Alcoholism is a chronic illness marked by dependence on alcohol consumption that interferes with physical or mental health, and social, family or job responsibilities. This addiction can lead to liver, circulatory and neurological problems. Pregnant women who drink alcohol in any amount may harm the fetus.AlcoholismillustrationAlcohol use disorder - illustration Alcohol use disorder is a chronic illness marked by alcohol consumption that interferes with physical or mental health, and social, family or job responsibilities. Over time this use can lead to liver, circulatory, and neurological problems. Pregnant women who drink alcohol in any amount may harm the fetus.Alcohol use disorderillustrationAlcohol and diet - illustration Alcohol is considered a macronutrient in that it provides energy (about 7 calories per gram). The equivalent of a 1-ounce shot of liquor is approximately 80 to 90 calories.Alcohol and dietillustrationLiver anatomy - illustration The liver serves a wide variety of body functions, including detoxifying blood and producing bile that aids in digestion.Liver anatomyillustrationA Closer Look Alcohol use disorders - InDepth(In-Depth)Self Care Deciding to quit drinking alcoholResponsible drinkingWhen you are drinking too much - tips for cutting backHealth risks of alcohol use Related Information Liver disease(Condition)Alcohol use and safe drinking(Special Topic)Acute pancreatitis(Condition)Alcoholic neuropathy(Condition)Bleeding esophageal varices(Condition)Cirrhosis(Condition)Depression(Symptoms)Cancer(Condition)Suicide and suicidal behavior(Condition)Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome(Condition)Pancreatitis - discharge(Discharge)Cirrhosis - discharge(Discharge)Alcohol use disorders - InDepth(In-Depth)Cirrhosis - InDepth(In-Depth)Depression - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 5/10/2023 Reviewed By: Fred K. Berger, MD, addiction and forensic psychiatrist, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Alcohol use disorderAlcohol dependence; Alcohol abuse; Problem drinking; Drinking problem; Alcohol addiction; Alcoholism - alcohol use; Substance use - alcoholAlcohol use disorder is when your drinking causes serious problems in your life, yet you keep drinking. You may also need more and more alcohol to feel drunk. Stopping suddenly may cause withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptomsAlcohol withdrawal refers to symptoms that may occur when a person who has been drinking too much alcohol on a regular basis suddenly stops drinking ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Causes No one knows what causes problems with alcohol. Health experts think that it may be a combination of a person's:Genes Environment Psychology, such as being impulsive or having low self-esteemLong-term risks of drinking an excessive amount of alcohol are more likely if:You are a man who has more than 2 drinks per day, or 15 or more drinks a week, or often has 5 or more drinks at a time You are a woman who has more than 1 drink per day, or 8 or more drinks a week, or often has 4 or more drinks at a timeOne drink is defined as 12 ounces or 360 milliliters (mL) of beer (5% alcohol content), 5 ounces or 150 mL of wine (12% alcohol content), or a 1.5-ounce or 45-mL shot of liquor (80 proof, or 40% alcohol content).If you have a parent with alcohol use disorder, you are more at risk for alcohol problems.You also may be more likely to have problems with alcohol if you:Are a young adult under peer pressure Have depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or schizophrenia DepressionDepression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for shor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bipolar disorderBipolar disorder is a mental condition in which a person has wide or extreme swings in their mood. Periods of feeling sad and depressed may alternat...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Anxiety disordersGeneralized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental disorder in which a person is often worried or anxious about many things and finds it hard to control ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder. It can occur after you have gone through an extreme emotional trauma that invol...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article SchizophreniaSchizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it hard to tell the difference between what is real and not real. It also makes it hard to think clearl...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Can easily obtain alcohol Have low self-esteem Have problems with relationships Live a stressful lifestyleIf you are concerned about your drinking, it may help to take a careful look at your alcohol use.Alcohol useAlcohol use involves drinking beer, wine, or hard liquor.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Health care providers have developed a list of symptoms that a person has to have in the past year to be diagnosed with alcohol use disorder.Symptoms may include:Drinking more or longer than you planned to at times Wanting to or trying to cut down or stop drinking, but could not Spending a lot of time and effort to get alcohol, use it, or recover from its effects Craving alcohol or having a strong urge to use it Missing work or school, or not performing as well because of drinking Continuing to drink, even when it harms your relationships with family and friends No longer taking part in activities that you used to enjoy Getting into situations that can cause you to get hurt, such as driving, using machinery, or having unsafe sex while or after drinking Continuing to drink, even though it is making a health problem caused by alcohol worse Needing more and more alcohol to feel its effects or to get drunk (this is called tolerance) Getting withdrawal symptoms when the effects of alcohol wear off Exams and Tests Your provider will:Examine you Ask about your medical and family history Ask about your alcohol use, and if you have any of the symptoms listed above Your provider may order tests to check for health problems that are common in people who use alcohol. These tests may include:Blood alcohol level (This shows if you have recently been drinking alcohol. It does not diagnose alcohol use disorder.) Complete blood count Complete blood countA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Liver function tests Liver function testsLiver function tests are common tests that are used to see how well the liver is working. Tests include:AlbuminAlpha-1 antitrypsinAlkaline phosphata...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Magnesium blood testMagnesium blood testA serum magnesium test measures the level of magnesium in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Many people with an alcohol problem need to completely stop using alcohol. This is called abstinence. Having strong social and family support can help make it easier to quit drinking.Some people are able to just cut back on their drinking. So even if you do not totally give up alcohol, you may be able to drink less. This can improve your health and relationships with others. It can also help you perform better at work or school.Drink lessHealth care providers consider you to be drinking more than is medically safe when you:Are a healthy man of legal drinking age and drink:5 or more dr...Read Article Now Book Mark Article However, many people who drink too much find they can't just cut back. Abstinence may be the only way to manage a drinking problem.DECIDING TO QUITLike many people with an alcohol problem, you may not recognize that your drinking has gotten out of your control. An important first step is to be aware of how much you drink. It also helps to understand the health risks of alcohol.How much you drinkMany people with alcohol problems cannot tell when their drinking is a problem or out of control. It is important to be aware of how much you are dr...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Health risks of alcoholBeer, wine, and liquor all contain alcohol (ethanol). Drinking an excessive amount of alcohol can put you at risk for alcohol-related problems....Read Article Now Book Mark Article If you decide to quit drinking, talk with your provider. Treatment involves helping you realize how much your alcohol use is harming your life and the lives of those around you.Decide to quit drinkingThis article describes how to determine if you have a problem with alcohol use and offers advice on how to decide to quit drinking.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Depending on how much and how long you have been drinking, you may be at risk for alcohol withdrawal. Withdrawal can be very uncomfortable and even life threatening. If you have been drinking a lot, you should cut back or stop drinking only under the care of a provider. Talk with your provider about how to stop using alcohol.How to stop using alcoholDeciding to quit drinking alcohol is a big step. You may have tried to quit in the past and are ready to try again. You may also be trying for the ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article LONG-TERM SUPPORTAlcohol recovery or support programs can help you stop drinking completely. These programs usually offer:Education about alcohol use and its effects Counseling and therapy to discuss how to control your thoughts and behaviors Physical health careFor the best chance of success, you should live with people who support your efforts to avoid alcohol. Some programs offer housing options for people with alcohol problems. Depending on your needs and the programs that are available:You may be treated in a special recovery center (inpatient) You may attend a program while you live at home (outpatient)You may be prescribed medicines along with counseling and behavioral therapy to help you quit. This is called medication-assisted treatment (MAT). While MAT doesn't work for everyone, it is another option in treating the disorder. These medicines are often used for MAT.Acamprosate helps reduce cravings and dependence on alcohol in people who have recently stopped drinking. Disulfiram should only be used after you stop drinking. It causes a very bad reaction when you drink, which helps prevent you from drinking. Naltrexone blocks pleasurable feelings of intoxication, which may help you cut back or stop drinking.It's a common misconception that taking medicine to treat alcohol use disorder is trading one addiction for another. These medicines are not addictive. They can help some people manage the disorder, just as people with diabetes or heart disease take medicine to treat their condition.Drinking may mask depression or other mood or anxiety disorders. If you have a mood disorder, it may become more noticeable when you stop drinking. Your provider will treat any mental disorders in addition to your alcohol treatment.Drinking significantly may also cause depression and anxiety. You need to stop drinking for at least a month to see if these symptoms get better and do not need further treatment. Support Groups Support groups help many people who are dealing with alcohol use. Talk to your provider about a support group that might be right for you.Support groupsThe following organizations are good resources for information on alcohol use disorder:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- www. cdc. gov/al...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) How well a person does depends on whether they can successfully cut back or stop drinking. It may take several tries to stop drinking for good. If you are struggling to quit, do not give up hope. Getting treatment, if needed, along with support and encouragement from support groups and those around you can help you remain sober. Possible Complications Alcohol use disorder can increase your risk of many health problems, including:Bleeding in the digestive tract Brain cell damage A brain disorder called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome Wernicke-Korsakoff syndromeWernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a brain disorder due to vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, liver, colon, and breast Changes in the menstrual cycle Delirium tremens (DTs) Delirium tremens (DTs)Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal. It involves sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Dementia and memory loss DementiaDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Depression and suicide DepressionDepression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for shor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Erectile dysfunction Heart damage High blood pressure Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) PancreatitisAcute pancreatitis is sudden swelling and inflammation of the pancreas.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Liver disease, including cirrhosis CirrhosisCirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nerve and brain damage Nerve and brain damageAlcoholic neuropathy is damage to the nerves that results from excessive drinking of alcohol.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Poor nutrition Sleeping problems (insomnia) InsomniaInsomnia is trouble falling asleep, staying asleep through the night, or waking up too early in the morning. Episodes of insomnia may come and go or ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Alcohol use also increases your risk for violence.Drinking alcohol while you are pregnant can lead to severe birth defects in your baby. This is called fetal alcohol syndrome. Drinking alcohol while you are breastfeeding can also cause problems for your baby.Fetal alcohol syndromeFetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a collection of growth, mental, and physical problems that may occur in a baby when a mother drinks alcohol during pr...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Talk with your provider if you or someone you know may have an alcohol problem.Seek immediate medical care or call 911 or the local emergency number if you or someone you know has an alcohol problem and develops severe confusion, seizures, or bleeding.If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also call 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK). The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support 24/7, anytime day or night. Prevention The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends:Women should not drink more than 1 drink per day Men should not drink more than 2 drinks per dayOpen ReferencesReferencesAmerican Psychiatric Association. Substance-related and addictive disorders. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2022:chap 16.Reus VI, Fochtmann LJ, Bukstein O, et al. The American Psychiatric Association practice guideline for the pharmacological treatment of patients with alcohol use disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 2018;175(1):86-90. PMID: 29301420 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29301420/.Sherin K, Seikel S, Hale S. Alcohol use disorders. In: Rakel RE, Rakel DP, eds. Textbook of Family Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 48.US Preventive Services Task Force, Curry SJ, Krist AH, et al. Screening and behavioral counseling interventions to reduce unhealthy alcohol use in adolescents and adults: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2018;320(18):1899-1909. PMID: 30422199 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30422199/.Witkiewitz K, Litten RZ, Leggio L. Advances in the science and treatment of alcohol use disorder. Sci Adv. 2019;5(9):eaax4043. Published September 25, 2019. PMID: 31579824 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31579824/.