ICD-11 · 6C40.2

Alcohol dependence

Alcohol dependence is a disorder of regulation of alcohol use arising from repeated or continuous use of alcohol. The characteristic feature is a strong internal drive to use alcohol, which is manifested by impaired ability to control use, increasing priority given to use over other activities and persistence of use despite harm or negative consequences. These experiences are often accompanied by a subjective sensation of urge or craving to use alcohol. Physiological features of dependence may also be present, including tolerance to the effects of alcohol, withdrawal symptoms following cessation or reduction in use of alcohol, or repeated use of alcohol or pharmacologically similar substances to prevent or alleviate withdrawal symptoms. The features of dependence are usually evident over a period of at least 12 months but the diagnosis may be made if alcohol use is continuous (daily or almost daily) for at least 3 months.

ICD-11 diagnostic criteria

How to recognise

In the ICD-11 framework, the core symptoms taken into account when recognising Alcohol dependence are:

Differential diagnosis

When diagnosing Alcohol dependence, the following ICD-11 disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis:

Frequently asked questions

How is Alcohol dependence diagnosed according to ICD-11?

According to ICD-11, the diagnostic criteria for Alcohol dependence (6C40.2) include: silne pragnienie spożycia alkoholu; utrata kontroli nad piciem; kontynuowanie picia mimo szkód; tolerancja alkoholu; objawy odstawienne.

What disorders are in the differential diagnosis of Alcohol dependence?

The differential diagnosis of Alcohol dependence (6C40.2) includes: Epizod szkodliwego używania alkoholu (6C40.0), Szkodliwy wzorzec używania alkoholu (6C40.1), Szkodliwy wzorzec używania alkoholu, epizodyczny (6C40.10), Szkodliwy wzorzec używania alkoholu, ciągły (6C40.11), Szkodliwy wzorzec używania alkoholu, nieokreślony (6C40.1Z).

WHO ICD-11 source

View this entry in the official WHO ICD-11 browser: 6C40.2 – WHO ICD-11

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Source: WHO ICD-11 (chapter 6 – Mental, behavioral and neurodevelopmental disorders). Used under CC BY-ND 3.0 IGO. ICD Diagnostica is not affiliated with or endorsed by WHO. Informational use only – does not replace clinical judgment.