Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

Some people may not have symptoms or may try to hide them from others. People who do have symptoms may have:

Problems with relationships
Missing work or school
Loss of control over drinking
Craving alcohol
Needing larger amounts of alcohol to have the same effects
Physical symptoms when alcohol is stopped, such as:
- Problems sleeping
- Shaking
- Restlessness
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Rapid heartbeat
- Seizures
- Perceiving something that is not real

References:

Alcohol use disorder. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/alcohol-use-disorder. Accessed September 3, 2020.

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/alcohol-withdrawal-syndrome. Accessed September 3, 2020.

Day E, Copello A, Hull M. Assessment and management of alcohol use disorders. BMJ. 2015 Feb 19;350:h715.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). American Psychiatric Association; 2013.

Last reviewed March 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrian Preda, MD
Last Updated: 2/19/2021

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