Alcohol Use Disorder

Definition

A chronic disease characterized by uncontrolled drinking and preoccupation with alcohol, causing significant distress or harm to the individual.

Related terms

Dependence:

A state in which an organism functions normally only in the presence of a substance, experiencing physical disturbance when it's absent.

Tolerance:

The need for increased amounts of a substance to achieve intoxication or desired effect or markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount.

Withdrawal:

Symptoms that occur after chronic use of a drug is reduced abruptly or stopped.