
And in years past, we called it Alcoholism today it is known as AUD – Alcohol Use Disorder. Sadly, the symptoms are the same and in many cases so is the denial.
Currently, healthcare professionals … assess whether a person has AUD and determine the severity with the number of criteria a person meets based on their symptoms—
Mild (2–3 criteria)
Moderate (4–5 criteria)
Severe (6 or more criteria)
For instance, a healthcare provider might ask the following questions to assess a person’s symptoms.
In the past year, have you:
Had times when you ended up drinking more, or longer, than you intended?
More than once wanted to cut down or stop drinking, or tried to, but couldn’t?
Spent a lot of time drinking? Or being sick or getting over other aftereffects?
Wanted a drink so badly you couldn’t think of anything else?
Found that drinking—or being sick from drinking—often interfered with taking care of your home or family? Or caused job troubles? Or school problems?
Continued to drink even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends?
Given up or cut back on activities that were important or interesting to you, or gave you pleasure, in order to drink?
More than once gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased your chances of getting hurt (such as driving, swimming, using machinery, walking in a dangerous area, or having unprotected sex)?
Continued to drink even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious or adding to another health problem? Or after having had a memory blackout?
Had to drink much more than you once did to get the effect you want? Or found that your usual number of drinks had much less effect than before?
Found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a racing heart, or a seizure? Or sensed things that were not there?

As a co-addict, I know any of these symptoms are cause for concern. The more symptoms, the more urgent the need for change. The question is, Is a person with AUD and those of us who love them willing to change?
And the truth shall set you free (John 8:32 CEV).