To get the best experience while viewing this site, it is recommended that you upgrade to a modern browser version of Chrome or Firefox.

You may do so by clicking on one of these icons:

Our History & Mission Our Staff Location Awards & Accolades Patient Success Stories Virtual Tour Contact Us

Specialty Programs Surgery Center Surgery Center

Surgery Preparations Pre-Surgery Post-Surgery

Patient Resources Patient Resources

Patient Online Health History Patient Forms Financial Arrangements After Hours Care Patient Responsibility Privacy Policy Patient Rights Advanced Directive Physician Ownership Patient Accommodations

Physician Members For Physicians For Physicians

Physician Recruiting

Career Opportunities Career Opportunities

Current Openings Employee Benefits Employee Satisfaction

Home Conditions & Treatments Adult Health Library Kidney and Urinary System Disorders

Health Library Explorer

Search Library:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings Contact Us

Home

Adult Health Library

Translate

Spanish

Conditions & Treatments
Health Centers
Drugs, Herbs & Supplements
Nutrition & General Wellness
Your Family
News Center
Healthy Living
Tools & Multimedia

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Topic IndexLibrary Index

Click a letter to see a list of conditions beginning with that letter.

Click 'Topic Index' to return to the index for the current topic.

Click 'Library Index' to return to the listing of all topics.

What Do You Know About Alcohol Use Disorder?

Misusing alcohol can lead to serious problems. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a pattern of drinking that can lead to problems at work, home, or school. It used to be called alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, and alcoholism. The condition is a disease. Symptoms include a very strong craving for alcohol, loss of control over drinking, or physical dependence. You can learn more about alcohol use disorder by taking this quiz, based on information from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).

1. Alcohol use disorder is greatest among which of these age groups?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

The highest rate of alcohol use disorder is among young adults 18 to 29 years old. But no matter what age, alcohol use disorder can lead to many health problems. These include liver disease, harm to the immune system, and brain damage. Heavy drinking raises the risk of getting cancer of the liver, esophagus, throat, and larynx. Alcohol also raises the risk for death from car crashes, falls in older adults, and work-related injuries.

A. 15- to 17-year-oldsB. 18- to 29-year-oldsC. 30- to 54-year-oldsD. 55 and older

2. How many drinks a day is defined as moderate alcohol consumption for females?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

For females, it's only 1 standard drink. For males, it's 2 drinks. A drink is defined as 1 12-ounce bottle or can of beer or wine cooler, 1 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits. Females have a lower recommended drinking limit than males because the female body doesn't process the same amount of alcohol as quickly as the male body. Heavy drinking is defined as more than 14 drinks a week for males, and more than 7 drinks per week for females. Binge drinking is defined as having 5 or more drinks on an occasion for males or 4 or more drinks on an occasion for females.

A. 1B. 2C. 3D. 4

3. Which of these is a symptom of alcohol use disorder?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Healthcare providers use a guideline called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose alcohol use disorder. If you meet at least 2 of the 11 signs over a 12-month period, you are diagnosed with the disorder. Depending on how many signs of alcohol use disorder you meet, your diagnosis could be mild, moderate, or severe.

A. Giving up or cutting back on important social, work, or recreational activities because of alcohol useB. Drinking in situations that are physically dangerous, such as while driving a carC. Continuing to drink despite problems with other people brought on by drinkingD. All of the above

4. Which of these things puts you at risk of alcohol use disorder?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

A person who has a family history of alcohol use disorder is at greater risk for abusing alcohol. But research shows that genes are responsible for only half of the risk for alcohol use disorder. Things in a person’s environment also add to the risk. So does the combination of a person’s genes and their environment.

A. Family history of alcoholismB. EnvironmentC. A and BD. None of the above

5. Which of these behaviors may be a symptom of alcohol use disorder?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Severe alcoholism is now called severe alcohol use disorder. Its symptoms may include:

A strong craving for alcohol.
A loss of control over how much alcohol is consumed at any one time, no matter the consequences.
Withdrawal symptoms such as tremor or nausea if alcohol is not consumed regularly.
The need for more and more alcohol to feel good.

A person with mild, moderate, or severe alcohol use disorder can get help from treatment.

A. A person looks forward to a set time of day when they can start drinkingB. A person attends social events only if alcohol is servedC. A person always has a "good" reason why they need a drinkD. All of the above

6. Why is alcohol use disorder in someone older than 65 more dangerous?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Mixing alcohol with over-the-counter or prescription medicines can be dangerous or even deadly. As people age, they are often prescribed more than 1 medicine for long-term (chronic) health problems. Many medicines interact harmfully with alcohol. Alcohol also can make many chronic conditions worse. These include high blood pressure and ulcers. Older people also have slower reaction times. They also may have problems with balance, hearing, and seeing. They also tend to have more brittle bones that can break easier in a fall. These things combined with drinking can raise the risk for falls, car crashes, and other injuries in older adults.

A. Older adults are more likely to take prescription medicinesB. The body has a lower tolerance for alcoholC. It raises blood pressureD. All of the above

7. Alcohol use disorder increases your risk for:

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Alcohol use disorder also increases your risk for type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart attack, falls, and accidental death. Alcohol use disorder may also make depression worse and affect memory.

A. CancerB. PancreatitisC. Liver damageD. All of the above

8. Which group has the highest rates of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in adults?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 13.6% of American Indian or Alaska Native adults had AUD in the past year. 11.6% of White adults, 10.5% of Black or African American adults, and 10.1% of Hispanic or Latino adults had AUD.

A. Hispanic or LatinoB. Black or African AmericanC. White/CaucasianD. American Indian/Alaska Native

Your score was:

Online Medical Reviewer: Heather M Trevino BSN RNC
Online Medical Reviewer: Tara Novick BSN MSN

Date Last Reviewed: 10/1/2024

Southern New Mexico
Surgery Center
2301 Indian Wells Rd. Suite B
Alamogordo, NM 88310
www.snmsc.org

Phone: 575.437.0890
Fax: 575.437.0905
Email: info@snmsc.org

What Do You Know About Alcohol Use Disorder?

Related Items

Patient Education

Diseases and Conditions

Articles

Interactive Tools