Alcohol Use Disorder > Fact Sheets > Yale Medicine

Two medications that fit in this category are naltrexone and acamprosate. Disulfiram does not reduce craving, but it creates an incentive not to drink, because drinking alcohol while taking it causes nausea and vomiting. An antiseizure drug called topiramate may diminish the reinforcing effects of alcohol. Alcohol treatment is an “off-label” use of topiramate, which means the FDA has not formally approved it for this use. Also not approved by the FDA, there is limited evidence that baclofen, a drug used to treat muscle spasticity, could help people quit alcohol use. Once an individual commits to stop drinking, the physician will watch out for and treat withdrawal symptoms.

The Potential Therapeutic Effects of Psychedelic, N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), on

If you think you might have an alcohol use disorder or if you are worried that your alcohol consumption has become problematic, it is important to talk to your doctor to discuss your treatment options. According to the NIAAA, alcohol cessation typically leads to improvement in the co-occurring mental health disorder. However, treating psychiatric symptoms alone does not typically help treat AUD. Your doctor or healthcare provider can diagnose alcohol use disorder. They’ll do a physical Treatment and Recovery National Institute on Drug Abuse NIDA exam and ask you questions about your drinking habits. After weaning from alcohol, medication in some cases can help reduce cravings.

Alcohol can interfere with a person’s ability to care for their other medical conditions or make other medical conditions worse. Rather than thinking in terms of cause-and-effect, it’s helpful to view the co-occurring nature of these conditions. Mental illnesses can contribute to substance use disorders, and substance use disorders can contribute to the development of mental illnesses.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder

1. Group meetings are available in most communities at low or no cost, and at convenient times and locations—including an increasing presence online.
2. These include increased heart rate, sweating, anxiety, tremors, nausea and vomiting, heart palpitations, and insomnia.
3. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
4. An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help.

You can determine whether your patient has AUD and its level of severity using a quick alcohol symptom checklist as described in the Core article on screening and assessment. As needed, you can refer to a mental health specialist for a complete assessment. While it’s common to experience a hangover or feel a bit sluggish after drinking alcohol, for some people, alcohol consumption can exacerbate depressive symptoms. Alcohol affects the brain’s chemistry, and its depressant effects can intensify feelings of sadness and hopelessness, particularly in those already dealing with depression. This can create a vicious cycle for those struggling with alcohol addiction; using alcohol to lessen the feelings of depression temporarily but causing worse long-term harm.

Alcohol use disorder

You might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are related to alcohol use. Listen to relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help. Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped. AUD makes it harder to process thoughts and regulate emotions and behaviors, leading to mental, physical, and emotional symptoms. As a result, AUD creates many obstacles and frustrations in day-to-day life. The APA no longer clinically use the terms “alcohol abuse” and “alcoholism” because they’re less accurate and contribute to stigma around the condition.

Healthcare providers use the umbrella term “alcohol use disorder” to classify a wide range of problematic alcohol use, such as alcohol abuse, dependence, addiction, and severe alcohol use disorder (alcoholism). However, alcohol is a depressant that disrupts the brain’s natural chemical balance. Over time, these disruptions deepen depressive symptoms, leading to a vicious cycle where individuals drink more in an attempt to alleviate their worsening emotional state. Research shows that the prevalence of alcohol dependence among people with psychiatric disorders is almost twice as high as in the general population. People with severe and enduring mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, are at least three times as likely to be alcohol dependent as the general population. When people stop drinking alcohol, they may experience an improvement in co-occurring mental health conditions.

Healthcare professionals may combine treatments for bipolar disorder and AUD. This may include adding AUD medication, psychotherapy aimed at AUD treatment, and a 12-step program to bipolar treatment. Alcoholism has been known by a variety of terms, including alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. About 30% of people with alcohol use disorder are able to abstain from alcohol permanently without the help of formal treatment or a self-help program. Two of three people seeking treatment do reduce their intake and improve their overall health.

Like many other substance use disorders, alcohol use disorder is a chronic and sometimes relapsing condition that reflects changes in the brain. This means that when people with the disorder are abstaining from alcohol, they are still at increased risk of resuming unhealthy alcohol consumption, even if years have passed since their last drink. In this disorder, people can’t stop drinking, even when drinking affects their health, puts their safety at risk and damages their personal relationships. Studies show most people can reduce how much they drink or stop drinking entirely. If you or a loved one is struggling with AUD, make an appointment with a primary care provider such as a medical doctor or nurse practitioner.

These changes significantly contribute to the co-occurrence of alcoholism and depression, making recovery more challenging. Chronic alcohol use can damage critical areas of the brain that govern decision-making, emotional regulation, memory, and overall mental health. Some symptoms of mental health conditions, such as stress or negative emotions, may increase the risk of excessive alcohol use if a person uses alcohol to cope with their symptoms.

Depression and anxiety frequently occur along with an alcohol use disorder. It is very important to get treatment for such disorders if they are contributing to the problem. These chemical changes increase susceptibility to depression, making it more likely for individuals with heavy drinking habits to develop mental health issues.

Many people with alcohol use disorder hesitate to get treatment because they don’t recognize that they have a problem. An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help. If you’re concerned about someone who drinks too much, ask a professional experienced in alcohol treatment for advice on how to approach that person.