Alcohol use disorder is still extremely common. Despite declines in alcohol use among youth in the US, research finds that one in ten Americans still experiences difficulties with alcohol use. Research also finds that despite the scale of alcohol misuse, treatment for alcohol use disorders is highly underutilized.
Causes appear to be an interaction of both genetic heritable traits and environmental causes. That means a lot of genes and a lot of stress out there interacting. Nature AND nurture strikes, yet again. Complicating things even more, alcohol misuse is highly comorbid with other mental health difficulties, while simultaneously influenced by those difficulties.
The good news is that doctors and clinicians now have multiple ways to help to help all. Medication approaches show some benefits for the individual and reduce risk of hospitalization for alcohol and alcohol-related problems. Heck, even GLP-1s like Ozempic show initial promise for reducing alcohol problems.
Mental health and substance use therapists also have a number of resources. Multiple evidence-based individual and group approaches appear to be helpful for alcohol use disorder. Despite how common alcohol use is and how many treatments are available, many individuals still do not receive treatment. Financial concerns, stigma, and lack of education/information on the condition all contribute.
Readiness for change also appears to be a culprit for lack of treatment in many studies. Substance and alcohol use disorder research finds about half of those who report to primary care settings report being in the action stage of change. But the other half of individuals report being in an earlier stage of readiness. Therefore, many of those who experience difficulties with alcohol may not be ready to fully access the care they need.
For therapists, tools like Motivation Interviewing help clients clarify their level of change and more strongly consider treatment. Good Motivational Interviewing (MI) trainings are available for therapists wanting to help. Other therapist resources (e.g., books on Motivational Interviewing) are also available.
Tools like these may help clients be more ready and willing to engage in treatment efforts. Once ready, approaches supported in alcohol use disorder research help clients make impactful changes. The effectiveness of these approaches often depends on the individual, so research finds that having a menu of options can help drive successful treatment.
Alcohol abuse is a very difficult experience. There can be a number of reasons why people drink (regulating emotion, social factors, to affect interactions with family members, etc.). Whatever the reason, therapists have a number of resources to both meet clients where they are at and to clarify their desire to engage in treatment and change their lives.
