Category: Addiction

Alcohol is one of the most socially accepted substances in today’s culture. It is often associated with celebration, relaxation, and social connection. However, for many individuals, alcohol use can gradually shift from casual or social drinking into a pattern that begins to affect their health, relationships, and overall functioning. Clinically, this pattern is defined as Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Alcohol Use Disorder is not defined simply by how often someone drinks, but rather by how alcohol use impacts a person’s life. According to clinical criteria, AUD involves a pattern…