Alcohol dependence (synonyms: Alcohol Abuse; Alcoholism; Alcohol Abstinence Syndrome; Alcohol Abuse; Alcohol Delirium; Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium; Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms; Alcohol Withdrawal Seizure; Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome; Alcoholic Predelirium; Alcoholism; Alcoholism Disease; Alcohol Abuse; Ethylism; Binge drinking; C2H5OH abuse; Chronic potatorium; Craving; Delirium alcoholicum; Delirium tremens; Withdrawal syndrome with delirium; Flat rate drinking; Periodic drunkenness; Potatorium; Mental and behavioral disorders due to alcohol: Withdrawal syndrome; ICD-10-GM F10. -: Mental and behavioral disorders due to alcohol; ICD-10-GM F10.0: Acute intoxication [acute intoxication]; ICD-10-GM F10.2: Dependence syndrome; ICD-10-GM F10.3: Withdrawal syndrome; ICD-10-GM F10.4: Withdrawal syndrome with delir) is said to occur when at least three of the following criteria occur in an individual over a period of one year:
- Strong desire to drink alcohol (so-called craving).
- Reduction in control over alcohol consumption.
- Development of tolerance to alcohol
- Occurrence of withdrawal symptoms during alcohol abstinence.
- Constricted behavior pattern
- Neglecting other aspects of life for alcohol
- Continued drinking of alcohol despite obvious consequential harm (physical, psychological and/or social)
If there is problematic alcohol consumption, but no alcohol dependence, it is called alcohol abuse.
Gender ratio: males to females is 3: 1 (for women, it is assumed that the number of unreported cases is high).
Peak prevalence: The disease occurs predominantly between the 3rd and 5th decade of life.
The lifetime prevalence (disease frequency during the whole life) is about 10-15% for men and about 5-8% for women (in Germany). The prevalence (disease incidence) is 3% (in Germany). It is estimated that around 1.6 million people in Germany are currently dependent on alcohol. In Eastern European countries, the prevalence is up to five times higher. The prevalence for alcohol abuse is 5% (in Germany).
Course and prognosis: If left untreated, alcohol dependence leads to a 15-year reduction in life expectancy. With adequate therapy, however, 70% of those suffering from alcoholism can be rehabilitated.
Note: The WHO considers alcoholic beverages, and in particular the metabolite acetaldehyde, to be a class 1 carcinogen (see below Consequelae/neoplasms – Tumor diseases)…
Consumption of more than 100 grams of pure alcohol per week – equivalent to about five and a half glasses of wine or 2.5 liters of beer – already increases the mortality risk (risk of death) as well as the risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases. The life expectancy of participants aged 40 years is reduced by 6 months with consumption of up to 200 g of alcohol, by 1 to 2 years with consumption of up to 350 g, and by 4 to 5 years with consumption of more than 350 g per week.
The lethality (mortality related to the total number of people suffering from the disease) is 30 per 100,000 population per year in Germany for men and 10 for women. The most common cause is liver cirrhosis (liver shrinkage).
Note: Alcohol dependence, withdrawal syndrome, and withdrawal syndrome with delirium are presented in the subtopics below.
