alcohol use disorder
a catchall diagnosis encompassing varying degrees of excessive use of alcohol. In DSM–5, the term specifically encompasses both abuse of and dependence on alcohol, thus superseding the DSM–IV–TR’s distinct diagnoses of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. The disorder is characterized by such symptoms as alcohol craving, recurrent use of alcohol that interferes with the fulfillment of one’s daily responsibilites, alcohol-seeking behavior, inability to control one’s drinking, drinking despite potential hazards (e.g., drinking while driving), the need for increased amounts of alcohol to achieve its effects (tolerance), and withdrawal symptoms when one stops or reduces alcohol intake (e.g., hand tremors, nausea, agitation, hallucinations). The disorder is distinguished as mild, moderate, or severe depending on the number of these symptoms that an individual may have: Mild cases present with two to
three symptoms; moderate cases four to five symptoms; and severe cases six or more symptoms.