According to a study recently published in JAMA Psychiatry, it is estimated that one out of every eight Americans is struggling with an alcohol use disorder (AUD).

The study – conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism, the New York State Psychiatric Institute, and Columbia University – tracked drinking patterns among 40,000 people between 2002 and 2003, and then again from 2012 to 2013. During this period, AUDs rose by almost 50%, with an estimated 30 million Americans actively struggling to overcome alcohol misuse. Researchers cited the rise as a “public health crisis” on par with the current national opioid crisis.

“This is an excellent reminder that our nation is dealing with an epidemic of a disease that goes far beyond any one particular drug,” stated Origins’ Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. John Dyben, DHSc, MCAP, CMHP.

“We have given a lot of attention to opioids because the deaths associated with these substances,” said Dyben. “In considering this data, we must recognize that addiction is a disease caused by a number of substances. This includes substances such as alcohol that are pervasive in our society. The problem isn’t the substance – in this case, alcohol – the problem is the disease. If you took away all of the opioids in the country, people would still die from the disease of addiction. We have to begin treating addiction as a healthcare issue.

For the JAMA Psychiatry study, researchers used the DSM-IV definition laid out by the American Psychiatric Association in 1994. This definition combines factors of alcohol misuse and dependence such as:

• Recurrent use of alcohol resulting in an inability to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home
• Drinking in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended.
• Persistent desire or one or more unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control drinking
• Need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect

Of 11 criteria used for this study, the presence of two or more indicated an AUD, while six or more indicated a severe alcohol use disorder. The study also tracked other patterns like “high-risk” drinking, which researchers defined as four or more drinks per day for women and five for men, with at least one day per week which exceeds those limits. These criteria revealed a swell of high-risk drinking that has increased on pace with alcohol misuse. Their body of research also compared the rates of alcohol use disorders and high-risk drinking among various populations.

According to the study, women and older adults showed significant increases in alcohol use in comparison to other groups.

JAMA’s research revealed a startling increase in alcohol use among women. High-risk drinking increased nearly 60% and AUDs increased nearly 84%. In addition to women, older adults also reported escalating levels of alcohol use. Among adults age 65 and older, high-risk drinking increased 65% while AUDs increased roughly 107%. “Addiction is a disease that transcends gender, age, race, status, and even specific drugs,” stated Dr. Dyben. “We must also consider whether the rates of use have actually increased, or if we are just beginning to uncover more of it. Both of these populations have historically had more barriers to treatment. These barriers including a greater degree of shame associated with substance use. It is possible that these populations have seen a reduction in these barriers which allow them to more freely admit how much they have actually been drinking.”

The study’s authors concluded their research by stating that these numbers “highlight the urgency of educating the public, policymakers, and healthcare professionals about high-risk drinking and [alcohol use disorders], de-stigmatizing these conditions and encouraging those who cannot reduce their alcohol consumption on their own to seek treatment.”

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