Did Lifetime Rates of Alcohol Use Disorders Increase 67% in 10 Years?

Two nationally representative epidemiological samples (the National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey and the National Epidemiological Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions) have been used to track changes in the prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) between 1992 and 2002 in the United States. Strikingly, estimates from these two data sets suggest that the lifetime prevalence of AUD increased by approximately 67% (from 18.2% to 30.3%) during this time frame. An article recently published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology explored potential reasons for these discrepant estimates. Analyses indicated that a vast majority of change in lifetime AUD occurred with respect to alcohol abuse and not alcohol dependence. Most of this increase in abuse was attributable to self-reported changes in hazardous use that did not track with other archival measures of outcomes related to hazardous use in the population. Key methodological differences regarding the frequency requirements for prior-to-past-year alcohol abuse appeared to explain most of the discrepancy in lifetime AUD estimates. These findings, in conjunction with the relative lack of differences in the 12-month prevalence of AUDs, suggest that the discrepant lifetime estimates are likely due to methodological differences between the two surveys. These findings have important implications for substance use and other psychiatric surveillance and epidemiology where meaningful cross-temporal comparisons are desired.

For the abstract.

Comments

[signs of alcohol addiction]

From a sociologist's perspective I can say that the abnormal growth of alcohol addiction percentage is correlated with the growth of a distinction between living standards amongst people in urban areas and country people. And the same diversity we can see inside urban living. The poorer a person is, the less hope for a happy future he has - there are more chances for him to end up drinking and using drugs. And of course there is a cultural aspect too. Well educated and nurtured people are less likely to get addicted to intoxicants, but this factor still depends on an income level.