Table: Classifying Alcohol-Related Disorders - Merck Manuals Consumer Version

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Classifying Alcohol-Related Disorders

Disorder	Description
At-risk drinking	Defined by the amount and frequency of drinking: More than 14 drinks* a week or 4 drinks per occasion for men More than 7 drinks a week or 3 drinks per occasion for women
Binge drinking	5 or more drinks per occasion for men 4 or more drinks per occasion for women Can go on for many days, followed by no or little alcohol for several days A particular problem in younger people
Alcohol use disorder	Prevents people from fulfilling their obligations Is done in physically dangerous situations (such as driving) Results in legal, social, or interpersonal problems More and more alcohol needed to produce the same effects (tolerance) Stopping drinking results in unpleasant, sometimes painful, physical symptoms (withdrawal) Drinking more than intended Reducing use desired but not possible Spending a lot of time getting or drinking alcohol or recovering from its effects Missing important events or activities (such as work, a wedding, or a graduation) because of drinking Continuing to drink even though drinking is causing physical or psychologic problems Craving alcohol
* One drink is equivalent to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1½ ounces of liquor, such as whiskey.

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