Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is characterized by a lack of control regarding alcohol consumption, regardless of potential social, economic, or health consequences.

Casual drinking is social/occasional, does not cause withdrawal symptoms, and does not involve compulsions to continue drinking. It becomes more concerning when alcohol is used as a coping mechanism, leading to dependence.

Alcohol Use Disorder is not just drinking too much, it's when alcohol becomes the center of someone's life. For someone with AUD, alcohol causes strained relationships, risky behavior, and academic/career consequences. It can also lead to severe damage to the brain, heart, and liver.