Brain's Role in Alcohol Use Disorders

Course overview

Alcohol is among the most commonly used drugs worldwide and is found in alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, and spirits. It is a depressant drug, as it slows down various sections of the brain and the central nervous system. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) as "problem drinking that becomes severe." AUD is a chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive alcohol consumption, loss of control over this consumption, and a negative emotional state when not using. This presentation provides a comprehensive, real case presentation of a 40-year-old man diagnosed with AUD (severe severity), followed by a detailed discussion on AUD, inclusive of definitions and criteria, epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, treatment, complications, and prognosis.