What DSM-5 diagnostic category would fit a client unable to control binge drinking despite marital and legal problems?

The DSM-5 diagnostic category that best fits a client unable to control binge drinking despite experiencing marital and legal problems is Alcohol use disorder. This classification encompasses a range of issues that arise from a problematic pattern of alcohol use, leading to significant impairment or distress.

In this scenario, the mention of inappropriate control over binge drinking points to a continued use of alcohol despite negative consequences, such as conflicts in personal relationships and legal issues. Such behaviors align with the diagnostic criteria for Alcohol use disorder, which includes a combination of factors such as loss of control over substance use, continued use despite negative impacts, craving, and tolerance.

Other options do not adequately capture the specific behaviors or circumstances presented. Neurocognitive disorder is unrelated to substance use behaviors and focuses instead on cognitive deficits. Alcohol intoxication describes a temporary state of being impaired due to recent alcohol consumption but does not reflect a pattern of behavior over time. Dual diagnosis refers to the coexistence of substance use disorders alongside other mental health disorders, which is not directly addressed in the context of this particular question. The emphasis on the inability to control drinking in the face of ongoing problems is what distinctly categorizes this condition as Alcohol use disorder.