If you are wondering whether your drinking, or someone else’s, may be a problem, you are not alone. “Alcohol addiction” is a common phrase for a pattern clinicians assess as alcohol use disorder (AUD). AUD is not diagnosed from one behavior or a single occasion. A health professional considers symptoms and their effects over time.
The symptoms below reflect the 11 criteria used to assess AUD. They are for information, not a self-diagnosis. A clinician can help you understand what you are experiencing and what support may fit.
You intend to have a certain amount or stop at a certain time, but often drink more or continue longer than you meant to.
You have a persistent wish to reduce or stop drinking, or have made unsuccessful attempts to control your drinking.
Much of your time goes toward getting alcohol, drinking, or recovering from its effects.
You experience a strong urge or desire to drink. Cravings can happen in particular situations or without an obvious trigger.
Drinking, or its aftereffects, repeatedly causes you to fail to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home.
You keep drinking even though it repeatedly causes or worsens problems with family, friends, or other people.
You stop or cut back on activities that matter to you, such as social, work, or recreational activities, because of drinking.
You repeatedly drink in situations where doing so could put you at physical risk, such as before driving or operating equipment.
You continue drinking even though you know it is causing or worsening a physical or psychological problem.
You need much more alcohol to feel the effect you used to get, or the same amount has much less effect than before. This is called tolerance.
When alcohol’s effects wear off, you may experience symptoms such as shakiness, sweating, nausea, trouble sleeping, restlessness, or a racing heart. This criterion also includes drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal can be dangerous, especially when symptoms are severe. Contact a health professional for advice about stopping or reducing alcohol use. Seizures, hallucinations, severe confusion, or another medical emergency require urgent medical care.
For diagnosis, a clinician considers whether at least two symptoms occurred in the same 12-month period as part of a pattern that causes clinically significant impairment or distress. Two or three symptoms are consistent with mild AUD, four or five with moderate AUD, and six or more with severe AUD. This is not a score to use on yourself or another person. Read NIAAA’s symptom overview for more information.
You do not need to wait until drinking causes a crisis to talk with someone. If you are concerned, consider speaking with a healthcare professional or qualified behavioral health provider. Be honest about how much and how often you drink, any attempts to cut down, and symptoms you notice when you go without alcohol. This can help them recommend a safe next step.
Consider reaching out if drinking feels difficult to control, affects your relationships or responsibilities, or continues despite health concerns. If you experience withdrawal symptoms, ask a healthcare professional for advice before making a sudden change in your drinking. For seizures, hallucinations, severe confusion, or an immediate medical emergency, call 911 or go to an emergency department. The ASAM guideline on alcohol withdrawal management provides clinical guidance for healthcare professionals.
If you want to learn about the services Scioto currently offers, see the alcohol treatment program page. Contact options, insurance details, availability, and the appropriate level of care should be confirmed directly with Scioto and assessed individually.