2024 Addiction Medicine Board Certification Review Course-2024 - A Comprehensive Review of Alcohol Use Disorders

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this comprehensive review of Alcohol Use Disorders, Dr. Steve Wyatt, an addiction psychiatrist, provides an in-depth understanding of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of alcohol use disorders. He begins by noting the high prevalence of alcohol consumption, with a significant percentage of adults engaging in heavy drinking. He emphasizes that about 14.5 million people in the U.S. had an alcohol use disorder as of 2017.<br /><br />Dr. Wyatt outlines the effects of alcohol on various organs and its significant role in leading to chronic illnesses and premature deaths. He explains that alcohol misuse is the third leading preventable cause of death in the U.S., costing the country approximately $2.5 billion annually.<br /><br />The presentation covers screening tools such as the AUDIT and AUDIT-C, which help identify risky drinking behaviors. Biomarkers like GGT, AST/ALT, MCV, and CDT are discussed for their roles in diagnosing and monitoring alcohol use disorders. Withdrawal management is detailed, highlighting the importance of supervised medical care to prevent complications such as delirium tremens and seizures.<br /><br />Pharmacological treatments post-withdrawal include disulfiram, naltrexone, acamprosate, and topiramate, aimed at reducing cravings and preventing relapse. Dr. Wyatt underscores the complexity of alcohol's impact on the brain and the need for ongoing treatment to address the neurobiologic changes.<br /><br />The session concludes with an emphasis on long-term management and the necessity for continuous support and medication to prevent relapse, underscoring the chronic nature of alcohol use disorders. Dr. Wyatt encourages practical investigation and treatment to mitigate the extensive impacts of alcohol misuse.

Keywords

Alcohol Use Disorders

Epidemiology

Diagnosis

Treatment

Alcohol Consumption

Heavy Drinking

Chronic Illnesses

Preventable Deaths

Screening Tools

Biomarkers

Withdrawal Management

Pharmacological Treatments

Neurobiologic Changes

Long-term Management

Relapse Prevention