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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 abuse by taking this quiz, based on information from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
Severe alcoholism is now called severe alcohol-use disorder. Its symptoms may include:
A person with mild, moderate, or severe alcohol-use disorder can get help from treatment.