Are enough people obtaining the treatment they need for alcohol addiction?
A. Certainly not. About one-third of adults in the United States have an alcohol use disorder (abuse or dependence; AUD) at some point in their lives, yet only about one in ten ever receives professional treatment. Q. What are the primary barriers to treatment? A. Most people who meet the criteria for an AUD do not perceive a need for treatment, feeling that “they’re not that bad yet.” This suggests that there is a high threshold before seeking treatment, which may indicate that currently available treatment is too stigmatizing or unappealing. Among those who do seek treatment, there are practical barriers such as lack of transportation or child care, lack of insurance coverage or being unable to stop working to receive treatment. Q. Why are people reluctant to seek treatment? A. There is such a negative stigma attached to admission to a treatment program, and it has many enduring negative consequences related to employment, insurance, and so forth. In addition, I believe that most peo
