Problem drinking that becomes severe is given the medical diagnosis of alcohol use disorder or AUD. Called as Alcohol Dependence in DSM IV & Alcohl addiction in lay man words. To be diagnosed with an AUD, individuals must meet certain criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Under DSM5, the current version of the DSM, anyone meeting any two of the 11 criteria during the same 12-month period receives a diagnosis of AUD. The severity of an AUDmild, moderate, or severeis based on the number of criteria met. To assess whether you or loved one may have an AUD, here are some questions to ask. In the past year, have you:Had times when you ended up drinking more, or longer than you intended?More than once wanted to cut down or stop drinking, or tried to, but couldnt?Spent a lot of time drinking? Or being sick or getting over the aftereffects?Experienced craving a strong need, or urge, to drink?Found that drinking or being sick from drinking often interfered with taking care of your home or family? Or caused job troubles? Or school problems?Continued to drink even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends?Given up or cut back on activities that were important or interesting to you, or gave you pleasure, in order to drink?More than once gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased your chances of getting hurt (such as driving, swimming, using machinery, walking in a dangerous area, or having unsafe )?Continued to drink even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious or adding to another health problem? Or after having had a memory blackout?Had to drink much more than you once did to get the effect you want? Or found that your usual number of drinks had much less effect than before?Found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, irritability, anxiety, depression, restlessness, nausea, or sweating? Or sensed things that were not there?