Reference
Guide | Reference

84  Alcohol Pattern Prototype

84.1 Summary

  • A pattern of recurrent alcohol use with impaired control, tolerance, or withdrawal and functional harm.

84.2 Prototype Features

  • Escalating use or difficulty cutting down.
  • Tolerance or withdrawal symptoms.
  • Use despite consequences.

84.3 Threshold Guidance

  • Use when alcohol use is recurrent and impairing.

84.4 Expected Domain Profile

  • Reward, Habit, and Substance-Related Compulsion: moderate to high.
  • Mood and Drive Dysregulation: variable.

84.5 Time-Course and Trajectory

  • Episodic with relapse cycles or chronic use.

84.6 Differential and Red Flags

  • Medical conditions mimicking withdrawal.
  • Co-occurring sedative or stimulant use.

84.7 Specifiers (treatment-relevant, non-prescriptive)

  • Course/time pattern (episodic, chronic).
  • Contributors (stress, access, social context).
  • Risk modifiers (withdrawal risk, accidents).

84.8 Measurement Prompts

  • Brief alcohol use screen.
  • Timeline of use and consequences.

84.10 Documentation Snippet (1-2 lines)

  • “Recurrent alcohol use with tolerance and withdrawal; Reward/Habit 3; chronic course.”