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35th AM (2025) - Poster Session
Drinking Patterns in Adults with AUD, Stratified b ...
Drinking Patterns in Adults with AUD, Stratified by AUD Severity and Sex
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Pdf Summary
This study analyzed drinking patterns among U.S. adults with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) using data from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). AUD, defined by DSM-5 criteria as meeting at least two of 11 criteria within 12 months, is associated with significant health and social consequences. The study stratified participants by AUD severity (mild, moderate, severe) and sex, examining demographics, drinking frequency, volume, and binge drinking behavior.<br /><br />Key findings include that approximately 11.3% of U.S. adults (about 28.9 million) had AUD in 2022: 6.7% mild, 2.3% moderate, and 2.3% severe. AUD prevalence was higher in males across all severity levels. Most adults with AUD were overweight or obese. Drinking patterns showed hazardous drinking across all AUD severities, with the mean number of drinks per day indicating risk levels exceeding WHO low-risk thresholds for both sexes.<br /><br />The majority consumed 1–5 drinks on their last drinking day, but frequency and binge drinking increased with severity. The average number of drinking days per year rose from 141 days in mild AUD to nearly 199 days for severe AUD. Additionally, over a quarter of those with severe AUD drank on 300 or more days annually. Binge drinking (5+ drinks for males, 4+ for females) was common, increasing with AUD severity.<br /><br />Strengths of this analysis include the nationally representative sample and DSM-5-based AUD classification; however, limitations include reliance on self-reported data prone to recall and social desirability bias, and lack of clinical AUD diagnosis confirmation.<br /><br />The study underscores that hazardous drinking occurs even at mild AUD severity levels, suggesting a need for early intervention to reduce health risks and economic burden. It highlights a large population engaging in risky alcohol use who may not be identified in clinical settings due to underdiagnosis. The findings advocate for broader screening and intervention strategies targeting all AUD severities to improve public health outcomes.
Keywords
Alcohol Use Disorder
AUD severity
drinking patterns
binge drinking
NSDUH 2022
DSM-5 criteria
U.S. adults
hazardous drinking
public health intervention
underdiagnosis
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