The Sobering Statistics of Alcohol Use Disorder

Guest: Terry D. Schneekloth, M.D.

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 26% of individuals 18 and older reported that they engaged in binge drinking and slightly over 6% engaged in heavy alcohol use within the past month. Binge drinkers were 70 to 90 times more likely to have an alcohol-related emergency department visit. Based on their data from this study, they estimated that nearly 15 million people ages 12 and older had alcohol use disorder. It’s also known that those with alcohol use disorder commonly seek care from primary care providers for alcohol-related medical problems. Our guest for this podcast is Terry Schneekloth, M.D., a psychiatrist and addiction specialist at Mayo Clinic.

Specific topics discussed:

• Definition of alcohol use disorder
• Risk factors for alcohol use disorder
• Role of genetics
• Questions primary care providers should ask to explore the possibility of an alcohol use disorder in patients
• Physical exam or lab findings which could suggest an alcohol use disorder
• Available treatment options and their alcohol use disorder effectiveness

Additional Resources:

• World Health Organization (WHO). Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). 2001 November 18; https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/audit-the-alcohol-use-disorders-identification-test-guidelines-for-use-in-primary-health-care
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III) study: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/research/nesarc-iii

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.