Table 2.

Diagnostic Criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder, Alcohol Dependence, and Patterns of Alcohol Use

DSM-5 Criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder*	ICD-11 Criteria for Alcohol Dependence#	NIAAA Patterns of Alcohol Use
Impaired Control Alcohol often taken in larger amounts or over longer period than was intended Persistent desire to cut down on alcohol use or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use Great deal of time spent in activities necessary to obtain alcohol, use alcohol, or recover from alcohol use Strong desire or urge to use alcohol	Impaired control of alcohol use	Moderate Use Male: ≤ 2 drinks/day Female: ≤ 1 inks/day
Social Impairment Recurrent alcohol use negatively affecting major role obligations at work, school, or home Continued alcohol use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems or exacerbated by the effects of alcohol Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol	Social dysfunction due to alcohol use	Heavy Drinking Male (under age 65): 4+ drinks/day or 14+ drinks/week Female (or anyone age 65 or greater): 3+ drinks/day or 7+ drinks/week
Risky Use Recurrent alcohol use in situations in which it is physically hazardous Alcohol use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been cause or exacerbated by alcohol	Physiological symptoms related to alcohol use: tolerance and withdrawal	Binge Drinking Male: 5+ drinks within 2 hours Female: 4+ drinks within 2 hours
Pharmacological Effects Tolerance defined by either: A need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect, OR A markedly diminished effect with continued use of same amount of alcohol Withdrawal or taking alcohol to relieve withdrawal	Additional Patterns of Alcohol Use “Harmful”: Repetitive alcohol use causing harm to physical or mental health “Hazardous”: Pattern of alcohol use that increases the risk of harmful physical or mental health consequences

^*At least 2 symptoms in the past year: mild 2-3 symptoms; moderate 4-5; severe disorder 6 or more

^#Requires 2 of the 3 above criteria; DSM- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, ICD- International Classification of Diseases; NIAAA National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.