14% of Americans Have Alcohol Use Disorder

14% of Americans Have Alcohol Use Disorder

14% of Americans Have Alcohol Use Disorder

A new study finds 14% of American adults currently have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Many have never been treated. Thirty percent of those interviewed said they had an alcohol-related problem at some time in their lives. Researchers from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) looked at drinking problems based on a new definition for alcohol use disorders in the DSM-5. The handbook defines an alcohol use disorder as having two of 11 symptoms, including continuing to drink even if it harms relationships, drinking that harms performance at work or school, or the inability to quit. Researchers noted they saw large increases in alcohol use disorder rates over the past decade.

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