Addiction (Alcohol): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.

What kind of doctor treats Addiction (Alcohol)?

A psychiatrist (a doctor who treats mental health conditions) treats alcohol use disorder. Many people also work with a therapist (a talk therapy counselor) or a primary care doctor. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.

What is alcohol use disorder?

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition. It means a person has trouble stopping or controlling alcohol use even when it causes problems. It covers what some people call alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, alcohol addiction, or alcoholism. Doctors see AUD as a brain disorder. It can be mild, moderate, or severe.

Alcohol misuse changes the brain in lasting ways. They make relapse (going back to drinking) more likely. Treatment can help people with AUD recover.

Symptoms

Doctors use questions from the DSM-5. The DSM-5 is a book of mental health rules doctors use. In the past year, have you:

  • Ended up drinking more, or longer, than you meant to?
  • More than once wanted to cut down or stop drinking, or tried to, but could not?
  • Spent a lot of time drinking or getting over it?
  • Wanted a drink so badly you could not think of anything else?
  • Found that drinking often got in the way of home, family, job, or school?
  • Kept drinking even though it caused trouble with family or friends?
  • Given up activities you enjoyed so you could drink?
  • More than once gotten into risky situations while or after drinking, like driving?
  • Kept drinking even though it made you feel depressed or anxious?
  • Needed much more alcohol than before to get the same effect?
  • Had withdrawal symptoms as alcohol wore off, like shakiness, sweating, nausea, or a seizure?

The more symptoms, the more urgent the need for change. Two to three criteria mean mild AUD, four to five mean moderate, and six or more mean severe.

Causes and who gets it

Many things raise the risk for AUD. Risk is higher for people who:

  • Started drinking at an early age.
  • Have genetics or a family history of alcohol problems. Heredity accounts for about 60% of the risk.
  • Have mental health conditions such as depression, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition after a terrifying event), or ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). These often occur with AUD.
  • Have a history of childhood trauma.

How doctors diagnose it

A doctor checks for the symptoms above using the DSM-5 criteria. Counting how many you meet shows whether AUD is mild, moderate, or severe.

Treatment

Treatment can be outpatient or inpatient. It can come from specialty programs, therapists, and health care providers.

Three medicines are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help people stop or reduce drinking and prevent a return to drinking: naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram. These medicines are not addictive. They may be used alone or combined with counseling or support groups.

Talk therapy with a licensed therapist aims to change drinking behavior. Approaches include brief interventions, methods that build motivation and coping skills, and mindfulness-based therapies. Mutual-support groups give peer support for stopping or reducing drinking.

People with severe AUD may need medical help to avoid alcohol withdrawal if they stop drinking. Alcohol withdrawal is a potentially life-threatening process. It can happen when someone who has been drinking heavily for a long time suddenly stops. Doctors can prescribe medicines for these symptoms.

When to see a doctor

Get medical help before you stop drinking if you have severe AUD. Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening. Call 911 right away if you have a seizure. Call too if you see or hear things that are not there, feel confused, or faint. Call if you cannot breathe well, keep vomiting, or will not wake up. These can mean severe withdrawal or alcohol poisoning. If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) right away.

How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in

A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. This kind of doctor can talk with you about your alcohol use, screen for AUD, and refer you to treatment or a specialist.

Common questions

Can people recover from alcohol use disorder?

Many people with AUD do recover, but setbacks are common among people in treatment. Seeking professional help early can prevent a return to drinking.

What medicines treat alcohol use disorder?

The FDA has approved naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram to help people stop or reduce drinking and prevent a return to drinking. These medicines are not addictive.

Is alcohol withdrawal dangerous?

It can be. Alcohol withdrawal is a potentially life-threatening process that can occur when someone who has been drinking heavily for a long time suddenly stops drinking. Doctors can prescribe medicines to address these symptoms and make the process safer and less distressing.

What raises the risk of alcohol use disorder?

Risk depends in part on how much, how often, and how quickly a person drinks. Risk is also higher with early drinking, genetics or a family history of alcohol problems, mental health conditions such as depression or PTSD, or a history of childhood trauma.

Sources

  1. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder
  2. SAMHSA - Alcohol Use Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Help

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.