30% Of Americans Abuse Alcohol, Study Says

Nearly One In Three U.S. Adults Report Drinking Problems During Their Lives

(CBS)  More than 30 percent of American adults have abused alcohol or suffered from alcoholism at some point in their lives, and few have received treatment, according to a new government study.

Alcoholics who got treatment first received it, on average, at about age 30 — eight years after they developed dependence on drinking, researchers reported.

"That's a big lag," especially combined with the fact that only 24 percent of alcoholics reported receiving any treatment at all, said study co-author Bridget Grant of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

The treatment rate for alcoholics was slightly less than the rate found a decade earlier. The study did not look at reasons for the decline, but other research has revealed a belief among doctors and the public that treatment does not work.

However, Dr. Mark Willenbring, director of the institute's Division of Treatment and Recovery Research, said evidence indicates that substance-abuse treatment is more effective than treatments for many medical disorders.

Three common approaches to treating alcoholism are 12-step programs, cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement therapy. Medications such as Antabuse, naltrexone and Campral also can help in combination with counseling, he said.

"The important thing is to engage with treatment and stick with it," Willenbring said.

About 42 percent of men and about 19 percent of women reported a history of either alcohol abuse or alcoholism during their lives. Whites and Native Americans were more likely than other ethnic groups to report drinking problems.

Alcohol abuse was defined as drinking-related failure to fulfill major obligations at work, school or home; social or legal problems; and drinking in hazardous situations. Alcoholism was characterized by compulsive drinking; preoccupation with drinking; and tolerance to alcohol or withdrawal symptoms.

The definitions were based on the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic manual.

Treatment, in the study's definition, could have been by a doctor or another health professional, in a 12-step program, at a crisis center or through an employee-assistance program.

The study, appearing in Monday's Archives of General Psychiatry, was based on a new analysis of the 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. The survey involved more than 43,000 face-to-face interviews with a representative sample of Americans, ages 18 and older.

A previous report on the same data found that 4.7 percent of adults reported alcohol abuse in 2001-2002, and 3.8 percent reported alcoholism.

The new analysis was the first to report on the prevalence of alcohol problems over a lifetime.

The study was funded by the New York State Psychiatric Institute and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a division of the National Institutes of Health.

[westminsterw]

What! ONLY 30% -- I thought it would be much much more! Oh, that must be the conviction rate because with all the reduced convictions there HAVE to be more DUIs out there!

[noslenh]

Why the decline in treatment? Have you tried to get anyone into treatment? Unless you are really rich or can get assistance, its about impossible. I tried to get my husband admitted, was told no they couldn't take him until they verified benefits with insurance, after convincing him to go, I didn't have time to wait, it was very frustrating. They took him and ended up sending him home after 48 hours because insurance refused to keep him there, they said he didn't give out patient treatment enough of a chance. Everyone at the treatment center agreed he should have been there. I worked and worked and tried to get him in a place and there are waiting lists, there are requirements you have to meet, its a huge hassle and almost impossible to get someone into treatmetn, besides the fact of a being hugely expensive. Yes, all those little Hollywood brats irritate me, going to rehab thats several thousand a day and they don't take it seriously. I was trying to get my husband into treatment to save my family, etc. and like I said, I found it about impossible!This is definately an instance where money can get you in!

[michellem99-2009]

The place to start is remove the ads from TV.The ads send the wrong message. I have felt they should not be on TV. It may be legal to drink but the ads are misleading. So why not have ads that show the dangers and health issues that booze cause. It maybe legal to drink but it is a drug. It does impair the the body and mind. IF it was not in your ,my face when the TV is on then maybe the sales would go down. I don't drink. Ban it won't work.

[passerby2]

they must be the 30% that is supporting Bush and his cronies.

[sharncedar]

Just because something is legal doesn't make it moral or right. We have lost our middle ground in this country - if something is legal it is presumed morally correct. It is as if we outsourced our consciences to the government, a very lazy and stupid thing to do. People caught doing whatever disgusting or immoral thing will say well its not illegal. So that makes it right presumably. Not a reasonable culture, it is insane to look to official laws and penalties to control individual choices.

Obviously drinking is wrong and a sin for most people, it has no positive value that I can see (other than dubious medical claims) and enormous negative effects. If we are going to compete with the Islamic system we will have to start putting some strictness and morals in our country, because that is their big advantage. For example, drinking is prohibited in Muslim law leaving their fighters smarter, stronger, with clearer minds, and a purer nature. We are fighting uphill letting our soldiers and especially our young women turn into lushes. Who will fight for the ladies back home when they are puking, tarnished, ladies of the night?

It is so silly to see America trying to win a war while high on alcohol, porn, drugs, and widespread vice. Those aren't the traits of winners, those are the traits of losers.

[bogusbones]

We're an addictive society, whether alcohol, ***, drugs, guns. With addictiveness comes some elements of self destruction. Ban it and it becomes even more attractive. I drink - sometimes a lot, but know, for my age, that I'm in better shape than 95% of my age peers. Everything in moderation my friends and drink at home. I laugh at people that criticize those who drink because they can be found at McDonald's clogging up their hearts with burgers, fries and soda pop. I beg to know what, in the long run, is worse for you - fat fast food or a few beers in the evening.

[hypnotoad72]

With the problems in our society (terrorism, offshoring, fear of global warming, cost of life), I'm shocked that number isn't higher.

[djpowles]

Drinking isn't the problem, *** up while you're drinking is. Why are we always trying to babysit each other? Punishing the drunks for your their screw ups is all you need to do. This is a free society, occasionally that means you're going to have to take your chances with some drunks. That might mean you or me or our family members get hurt by an irresponsible drunk. When that happens you can either get some payback or not but don't cry about it because no one cares.

[j_flood]

***Once*** ***I*** ***was*** ***told*** ***that*** ***at*** ***any*** ***given*** ***minute*** ***that*** ***10***% ***of*** ***the*** ***drivers*** ***on*** ***the*** ***road*** ***are*** ***driving*** ***impaired*** ***by*** ***drugs*** ***or*** ***drink***. ***Wasn***'***t*** ***sure*** ***then*** ***about*** ***the*** ***veracity*** ***of*** ***that*** ***statement*** - ***I*** ***am*** ***now***.

***I***'***m*** ***30*** ***years*** ***sober*** - ***I*** ***asked*** ***for*** ***help***. ***Take*** ***stock*** ***of*** ***yourself***.

[chinesespy]

DRUNKS,SMOKERS,FAT SLOBS,NO WONDER MY MEDICAL INSURANCE IS SO EXPENSIVE..

[jimc52]

I think the problem is far bigger than 30% One problem is the definition of "abuse." Every recovery program and every counseor has its own set of definitions. The above definitions are just as arbitrary. I myself am a non-drinker, but there is a lot of social pressure placed on those of us who do not drink to do so...that is why I avoid social gatherings with alcohol. Just about everyone I know, drinks alcohol, and I am the odd person. There is a lot of pressure from alcohol manufacturers (beer and wine included) to link *** with alcohol consumption.
Take note of the adverts with the *** women surrounding a can of beer or wine...or the close up shots of private areas of the body on TV adverts which directly imply it is *** to consume alcohol. There is nothing *** about a drunkard or a person wasted on alcohol. In my book, a single drink is a form of abuse. What we need is strong legislation just like the tobacco legislation to make manufacturer's of alcoholic substances pay for recovery of those whom they have addicted. But as usual, the big money is there in congress paying off our polititicans, just like the toabacco industry has done...and so we have an alcohol abuse problem in our country with little or nothing being done. Are we surprised that nothing is being done?

[jimc52]

There is nothing *s*e*x*y about drinking alcohol.

[djpowles]

I've yet to see a single post here that convinces me that this is a "problem" or that we should waste any time or money on it. None of the things you propose offer any solution for the real problem... people acting irresponsibly.

[jpbrown7]

***We*** ***will*** ***never*** ***be*** ***able*** ***to*** ***treat*** ***addiction*** ***effectively*** ***until*** ***the*** ***problem*** ***is*** ***studied*** ***and*** ***treated*** ***scientifically***. ***AA*** (***as*** ***with*** ***all*** &***quot***;***12***-***step***&***quot***; ***programs***) ***is*** ***a*** ***cult*** ***based*** ***on*** ***folklore*** ***and*** ***old*** ***wives***' ***tales***, ***and*** ***as*** ***a*** ***result***, ***it***'***s*** ***not*** ***very*** ***successful*** ***with*** ***most*** ***addicts***. ***Hey*** ***AA***, ***did*** ***you*** ***know*** ***that*** &***quot***;***alcoholics***&***quot***; ***can*** ***return*** ***to*** ***social*** ***drinking***? ***See*** ***what*** ***happens*** ***when*** ***they*** ***try*** ***to*** ***apply*** ***12***-***step*** ***technology*** ***to*** ***overeaters***. ***What***...***are*** ***they*** ***never*** ***allowed*** ***to*** ***eat*** ***again***?

[marla_w]

Yes to medication helping. And to getting treatment sooner! Roberta Jewell was right on target about this when she introduced her program a year ago. She also says "...there's no magic pill." I'm living proof that new therapies can help. Obviously the problem is a lot bigger than any of us thought. I'm just glad to be out of my black hole. M.

[marla_w]

Yes to medication helping. And to getting treatment sooner! Roberta Jewell was right on target about this when she introduced her program a year ago. She also says "...there's no magic pill." I'm living proof that new therapies can help. Obviously the problem is a lot bigger than any of us thought. I'm just glad to be out of my black hole. M.

[marla_w]

Yes to medication helping. And to getting treatment sooner! Roberta Jewell was right on target about this when she introduced her program a year ago. She also says "...there's no magic pill." I'm living proof that new therapies can help. Obviously the problem is a lot bigger than any of us thought. I'm just glad to be out of my black hole. M.

[marla_w]

Yes to medication helping. And to getting treatment sooner! Roberta Jewell was right on target about this when she introduced her program a year ago. She also says "...there's no magic pill." I'm living proof that new therapies can help. Obviously the problem is a lot bigger than any of us thought. I'm just glad to be out of my black hole. M.

[mediabrat60]

***So*** ***what***?!

[inventagod]

Bet ya Bu$hie abuses some alcohol tonite, when the emails start coming in from those Republicon politicos who just dumped him...

If you ever were a Bu$h supporter, shame on you!

[grazinggoat]

Hic!

I did not know that there were such population classifications in existance. This article enlightened and taught me about the statistical analysis and classifications of american alcoholic dependents. I am curious if this study has been done more than recently. IF so, how many years have these population groups been studied, so that the evolution of alcohol dependence in our society can be studied? Finally, It takes a scientific concensus of multiple, replicable studys over time to be able to rely on the conclusions of the researchers as reliable fact.

[shanev137]

***Wait*** ***a*** ***minute***, ***I*** ***thought*** ***80*** ***to*** ***85***% ***of*** ***all*** ***Americans*** ***were*** ***Christians*** ***according*** ***to*** ***your*** ***last*** ***survey***.

[blazercoach1]

OK...the title uses the word "abuse" which is present tense. But the whole article refers to "at some point in their lives" which includes college. Come on. I'm surprised the number is as low as 30% given that it could be at any point in their lives.

But way to twist the title to get us to read the article. Great marketing, poor analysis and ultimately poor journalism.

[tnt1954]

***it***'***s*** ***the*** ***first*** ***drink*** ***that*** ***gets*** ***ya*** ***drunk***.
***alcoholism*** ***is*** ***caused*** ***by*** ***alcohol***.
***if*** ***there*** ***was*** ***no*** ***alcohol***, ***there*** ***would*** ***be***
***no*** ***alcoholism***. ***if*** ***you*** ***are*** ***not*** ***an*** ***alcoholic***
***you*** ***won***'***t*** ***miss*** ***it***, ***when*** ***it*** ***gets*** ***banned*** ***again***
***world***-***wide***. ***you*** ***banning*** ***smoking***, ***so*** ***why***
***not*** ***alcohol*** ***too***. ***you*** ***can***'***t*** ***get*** ***drunk*** ***and***
***impaired*** ***from*** ***smoking*** ***tobacco***, ***on*** ***the*** ***contrary***
***tobacco*** ***cigarettes*** ***make*** ***you*** ***sharp***,***alert***.
***but*** ***on*** ***alcohol***, ***inhibitions*** ***are*** ***released***, ***you***
***do*** ***things*** ***you*** ***never*** ***would*** ***do*** ***in*** ***your*** ***sober*** ***state***.
***some*** ***people*** ***dont***' ***even*** ***know*** ***what*** ***the*** ***word***
***sobriety*** ***means***. ***some*** ***have*** ***never*** ***heard*** ***the*** ***word***.
***my*** ***recommendation***: ***back*** ***to*** ***prohibition***.

[tnt1954]

it's the first drink that gets ya drunk.
alcoholism is caused by alcohol.
if there was no alcohol, there would be
no alcoholism. if you are not an alcoholic
you won't miss it, when it gets banned again
world-wide. you banned smoking, so why
not alcohol too. you can't get drunk and
impaired from smoking tobacco, on the contrary
tobacco cigarettes make you sharp,alert.
but on alcohol, inhibitions are released, you
do things you never would do in your sober state.
some people dont' even know what the word
sobriety means. some have never heard the word.
my recommendation: back to prohibition.

[tnt1954]

it's the first drink that gets ya drunk.
alcoholism is caused by alcohol.
if there was no alcohol, there would be
no alcoholism. if you are not an alcoholic
you won't miss it, when it gets banned again
world-wide. you banned smoking, so why not
alcohol too.

[aaabee-2009]

After the Libby reprieve, that number should be up to about 71%

[duhrer]

Excellent... first the studies, then the public outrage is fanned with the bellows of self-righteous indignation, then the laws begin to encroach and before we know it we're back to prohibition days. And everyone remembers those. It was the days where the black market on alchohol produced some of the most accomplished criminals... hmmm, much like today with our "war" on drugs. Go ahead... make the argument that hard drugs are more dangerous than alchohol, or defend prescription drugs that make folks crazy with blood lust. Sheesh, when will we learn. I'm not a drinker myself (barely have a glass of wine a year... maybe two beers in a year and maybe three or four hard drinks in a year), but I don't like government intervention in what I do with my health and my body and I can see the writing on the wall. The world gov't's already started restricting smoking all over the world. And the criminals are happy.

[acauble1]

Without alcohol abuse...

...there would be far fewer profits for the alcohol industry to lobby congress to continue keeping marijuana illegal!

[tburzio]

It takes a whole lot of alcohol to make a liberated woman look good to enough to do! Once you get past that stage, you stop drinking heavily... :-)

[grammawhamma]

only 30%??