What term describes a medical condition characterized by an inability to control or stop drinking despite negative consequences?

• A. Alcohol use disorder
• B. Alternative peer groups
• C. Alcoholics Anonymous
• D. Al-Anon

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is recognizing a medical condition defined by loss of control over drinking and continuing despite harms. Alcohol use disorder is the DSM-5 diagnosis that matches this pattern. It describes a problematic relationship with alcohol where a person often craves alcohol, struggles to limit or stop drinking, spends substantial time related to drinking or recovering from it, and continues to drink even when it causes physical, social, or occupational problems. The severity can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how many diagnostic criteria are present. The term reflects a spectrum rather than a single fixed state, which is why it’s the preferred medical label over older terms. The other options aren’t medical conditions: they refer to groups or organizations (mutual-help or family support) rather than a diagnosis.