Alcohol+Use+Disorders+-+Alcohol+Abuse+and+Alcohol+Dependence


 * Diagnostical Definitions **

In the literature, alcohol use is divided into two categories: Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Dependence. These also fall into the broader umbrella term of Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs). When talking about problematic drinking and addictions, these two terms may be used interchangeably to refer to hazardous or unhealthy drinking patterns.

The diagnosis of //alcohol abuse// requires that three criteria be met: (a) A pattern of pathological drinking (b) Impaired social or vocational performance (c) A duration of these latter disturbances for at least one month.

To qualify for a diagnosis of //alcohol dependence//:
 * The additional criterion of physical addiction as inferred from increased tolerance or the presence of withdrawal symptoms also must be met (Tarter et al., 1987).

Additionally, there is a close link between Alcohol Use Disorders and individuals which engage in //heavy episodic drinking//, which in lay terms is also referred to as "//binge drinking//". This can defined as, "endorsement of drinking five or more drinks for men, and four or more drinks for women within a 2-hour period" (Beseler, Taylor, Leeman, 2009).

Beseler et al., (2009) additionally reported that frequent heavy episodic drinkers, which were defined as: having three of more heavy drinking occasions in the prior 2 weeks; were 19 times more likely to meet criteria for current dependence, as well as 13 times more likely to meet criteria for current abuse than drinkers who had not reported heavy use of alcohol.

**Association between PTSD and Alcohol Use Disorders - Model of Self Medication**

====Alcohol is often used as a method of self medication to relieve or control the distress associated with self-regulation problems in individuals who are suffering from PTSD. These self-regulation problems are often due to the rupture in internal balance, or homeostasis such as high anxiety levels (Mcfarlane, 1998). Alcohol may serve as a coping mechanism for 3 main reasons: ====


 * ====To threat the affect deficits of PTSD (such as depressive symptoms) ====
 * ====Interpersonal difficulties ====
 * ====Hyper-arousal ====

====Furthermore, McFarlane (1998) states that, alcohol may prompt the creation of an alternate state of mind (often states of dissociation) in response to the symptoms of hyper-vigilance found in PTSD can offer as a buffer for the traumatized individual. ====