Diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder Usually a clinical diagnosis Screening The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition-Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) considers alcohol use disorder to be present if patients have clinically significant impairment or distress as manifested by the presence of ≥ 2 of the following over a 12-month period: Taking alcohol in larger amounts or for a longer time than intended Persistently desiring or unsuccessfully attempting to decrease alcohol use Spending a great deal of time obtaining, using, or recovering from alcohol Craving alcohol Failing repeatedly to meet obligations at work, home, or school because of alcohol Continuing to use alcohol despite having recurrent social or interpersonal problems because of alcohol Giving up important social, work, or recreational activities because of alcohol Using alcohol in physically hazardous situations Continuing to use alcohol despite having a physical disorder (eg, liver disease) or mental disorder (eg, depression) caused or worsened by alcohol Having tolerance to alcohol Having alcohol withdrawal symptoms or drinking alcohol because of withdrawal Screening Some alcohol-related problems are diagnosed when people seek medical treatment for their drinking or for obvious alcohol-related illness (eg, delirium tremens, cirrhosis).