The Russian recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol dependence indicate that alcoholism has many symptoms. The authors of the document believe that frequent drinking only suggests that a person is an alcoholic. Thus, how often a person drinks does not make it possible to diagnose him, this requires a detailed examination.
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What criteria are used to diagnose alcoholism
The Russian recommendations contain criteria for alcohol dependence. They are intended for interpretation by specialists, however, to a certain extent, anyone can “try on” them for themselves and their loved ones. Alcoholism is diagnosed in people who have had three of the following symptoms for some time in the past year:
- A strong desire to drink, an overwhelming craving for alcohol.
- Decreased ability to control drinking – alcohol doses and duration. This is accompanied by prolonged use of large amounts of alcohol and unsuccessful attempts to control it.
- When you stop drinking alcohol, the appearance of a withdrawal syndrome (withdrawal syndrome). To combat it, people again drink alcohol or similar substances.
- Change in alcohol tolerance: more and more is required or the effect increases with the same doses.
- Preoccupation with drinking alcohol. For the sake of drinking, people completely or partially give up other interests. A lot of time is spent on alcohol and recovery after taking it.
- Continued consumption of alcoholic beverages despite clear signs of harmful effects.
Thus, the criteria for diagnosing alcoholism are not contain indications of the number of alcoholic beverages consumed per week.
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In the USA, it is easier to get a diagnosis of alcohol dependence than in Russia. The diagnostic criteria used in this country are in many ways similar to Russian ones. However, they have more items, and a person can be called an alcoholic if they met only two of them during the last year for a certain time:
- Drinking alcohol in large quantities and for a longer time, than planned.
- Repeatedly unsuccessful attempts to limit drinking.
- Large time wasted on acquiring, drinking and recovering alcohol after its effects.
- A strong, dominant craving for alcohol.
- Repeated drinking as a reason for a person's inability to cope with their usual roles at work, at school, at home.
- Continued drinking despite prolonged social or personal problems.
- Increasing neglect of important social, professional, and recreational activities, or complete refuse them.
- Drinking alcohol regularly accompanies health hazards (driving, hazardous sex, swimming, operating machinery).
- Continued drinking despite understanding that recurring health problems and psyche are connected with it.
- Alcohol tolerance changes.
- Rejection of alcohol is accompanied by a withdrawal syndrome.< /li>
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Does quantity play a role?
The amount of alcohol you drink can be a risk factor for developing alcoholism. The American National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) indicates that alcohol abuse and excessive drinking are associated with the development of alcohol dependence.
What is a standard drink of alcohol?
WHO: equivalent to 10 grams of pure alcohol.
US: equivalent to 14 grams of pure alcohol.
- < li>1 can of beer (330 ml) with a strength of 5% – 13 g of pure alcohol;
- 1 glass of wine (140 ml) with a strength of 12% – 13.3 g pure alcohol;
- 1 glass of strong alcohol (40 ml) with a strength of 40% – 12.6 g of pure alcohol.
The NIAAA defines alcohol abuse as drinking more than three or four standard drinks on any given day for women and men, respectively. The Alcoholic and Substance Abuse Services of America (SAMHSA) considers that a person is abusing alcohol if he or she has drunk excessive amounts (more than four or five standard drinks) at least five times in the last month. However, we emphasize that here we are talking about the risk of alcoholism, and not about alcoholism itself.