Alcohol usage in and of itself is not a mental health problem.  Many people can drink alcohol responsibly without experiencing impaired behavior.  Without experiencing risky, damaging occurrences to themselves and the public.  However, too many alcohol consumers are not members in that category.

The Mayo Clinic (2020) defined “Alcohol Use Disorder” as, “…a pattern of alcohol use that involves problems controlling your drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol, continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems, having to drink more to get the same effect.”

And, “…or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking” (Mayo Clinic, 2020).

“National, Regional, And Global Burdens Of Disease From 2000 To 2016 Attributable To Alcohol Use: A Comparative Risk Assessment Study” (Shield, Manthey, Rylett, Probst, Wetlaufer, Parry, & Rehm, 2020) provided global research indicating the regions which experienced different levels of alcohol usage, types of harm inflicted on society, and the self-harm which resulted in medical conditions from 2000 – 2016.

Vikki

References

Mayo Clinic. (2020). Alcohol Use Disorders.  Retrieved From https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-use-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20369243

Shield, K., PhD, Manthey, J., MA, Rylett, M., MA, Probst, C., PhD, Wetlaufer, A., MA, Parry, C.D.H., PhD, & Rehm, J., PhD. (2020). National, Regional, And Global Burdens Of Disease From 2000 to 2016 Attributable To Alcohol Use:  A Comparative Risk Assessment Study. Retrieved From DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(19)30231-2