Diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder
DSM – 5
Before someone can be diagnosed with AUD, they must meet two criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) within 12 months. Alcohol DSM-5 makes a diagnosis by merging alcohol abuse and dependence with mild, moderate, and severe alcohol problems. Some of the alcohol DSM – 5 criteria, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, includes drinking alcohol for a long time and constant alcohol cravings.4
ICD 10
ICD stands for International Center for Disease. According to the organization, a health practitioner can only diagnose when the person meets three or more of the main features of alcohol dependence in the previous year. Some of the features include alcohol withdrawal syndrome, drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms, and drinking in large quantities.5
Test and Exam
To diagnose AUD at a medical center, doctors carry out an alcohol evaluation by asking about patients’ symptoms and previous experience with alcohol. They also ask patients to describe their alcohol use and its effect on their lives. Patients must show two or more symptoms of AUD, such as drinking more, craving alcohol, and partaking in drinking habits that harm their career or family relationships.6