Alcohol Use Disorder

Excerpt

Alcohol is the most commonly used substance in the United States, with 84% of people 18 and older reporting lifetime use, according to data from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Alcohol use exists along a spectrum from low risk to alcohol use disorder (AUD). The intervening category, known as risky drinking, includes heavy drinking as well as binge drinking. AUD is a chronic disease with significant medical, social, and psychological implications for the patient. AUD also significantly impacts the healthcare system, contributing to over 200,000 hospitalizations annually and 7.4% of emergency room visits. About 29.5 million people 12 and over have AUD in the United States; however, only 7.6% of this population receive treatment.[NIAAA. AUD in the United States] This large treatment gap allows clinicians to diagnose a prevalent medical condition with devastating health and societal consequences.