Alcoholism epidemiology and demographics
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Epidemiology and Demorgrahics
Substance use disorders are a major public health problem facing many countries. "The most common substance of abuse/dependence in patients presenting for treatment is alcohol."[1] In the United Kingdom, the number of 'dependent drinkers' was calculated as over 2.8 million in 2001.[2] The World Health Organization estimates that about 140 million people throughout the world suffer from alcohol dependence.[3][4]
Within the medical community, there is broad consensus regarding alcoholism as a disease state. Outside the medical community, there is considerable debate regarding the Disease Theory of Alcoholism. Proponents argue that any structural or functional disorder having a predictable course, or progression, should be classified as a disease. Opponents cite the inability to pin down the behavioral issues to a physical cause as a reason for avoiding classification.
A 2002 study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism surveyed a group of 4,422 adult alcoholics and found that after one year some were no longer alcoholics, even though only 25.5% of the group received any treatment,[5] with the breakdown as follows:
- 25% still dependent
- 27.3% in partial remission (some symptoms persist)
- 11.8% asymptomatic drinkers (consumption increases chances of relapse)
- 35.9% fully recovered — made up of 17.7% low-risk drinkers plus 18.2% abstainers.
References
- ↑ Gabbard: "Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders". Published by the American Psychiatric Association: 3rd edition, 2001, ISBN 0-88048-910-3
- ↑ Cabinet Office Strategy Unit Alcohol misuse: How much does it cost? September 2003
- ↑ WHO European Ministerial Conference on Young People and Alcohol
- ↑ WHO to meet beverage company representatives to discuss health-related alcohol issues
- ↑ National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 2001-2002 Survey Finds That Many Recover From Alcoholism Press release 18 January 2005.