Prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorder in the United States

"In 2012 through 2013, US prevalences of DSM-5 12-month and lifetime AUD [Alcohol Use Disorder] among adults 18 years and older were 13.9% and 29.1%, respectively, representing approximately 32 648 000 and 68 485 000 individuals, respectively, in the United States. Corresponding DSM-IV rates, 12.7% and 43.6%, respectively, increased substantially since 2001 through 2002 (8.5% and 30.3%, respectively).6 Increases in DSM-IV AUD during the past decade may partly reflect increases in heavy alcohol consumption during that period: past-year drinking of at least 5, at least 8, and at least 10 drinks/d increased from 31.0%, 15.6%, and 11.5%, respectively, in the 2001-2002 NESARC to 39.6%, 20.8%, and 15.5%, respectively, in the 2012-2013 NESARC-III (R.B.G., unpublished data, February 2015). In contrast, rates of 12-month AUD remained stable from 2002 and 2013 (about 7.5%) in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.15 More research on reasons for increasing prevalence of AUD during the past decade and discrepancies in the rates between national surveys is warranted."