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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Marshall Dean Alameida, PhD, RN, CNS¹, Charlene Harrington, PhD, RN, FAAN², Mitch LaPlante, PhD¹, Joseph Mullan, PhD¹, Taewoon Kang, PhD³, and Linda Chafetz, DNS, RN⁴. (1) Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 455, San Francisco, CA 94118, 925-256-4128, Marshall.Alameida@ucsf.edu, (2) Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 3333 California St., Suite 455, San Francisco, CA 94118, (3) Dept. of Social & Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 340, San Francisco, CA 94118, (4) Department of Community Health Systems, University of California, San Francisco, 2 Koret Way #N-511H, San Francisco, CA 94142-0608

Abstract Design and Methods: This study examined secondary data from a national probability survey – the NSDUH in 2003 which was weighted to represent 212,686,651 community-dwelling adults 18 and older. Multivariate analyses were used to examine selected factors associated with alcohol use. This study first examined a subset of variables to understand trait (socio-demographic) factors and drug use in relation to alcohol use considering a number of different measures of alcohol use (frequency and quantity). The relationship of trait factors and alcohol use on alcohol disablement, alcohol risk behavior, alcohol abuse/dependence, and alcohol treatment was also examined. Findings: The data showed that alcohol problems occur at levels less than 10 drinks per month. The consequences were that 16,516,050 persons self-reported emotional or physical or role function problems due to alcohol, with 10,701,870 drinking and engaging in dangerous activities and 30,711,740 drinking and driving. Approximately 15,618,070 incurred a need for alcohol treatment that was not met. Discussion: Male gender and drug use were the strongest predictors of the quantity of alcohol consumption, which was a strong predictor for disablement, risk behavior and alcohol abuse/dependence. Disablement and risk behaviors predicted alcohol treatment; however, alcohol treatment occurs after individuals have very high alcohol consumption levels. Self reported alcohol problems occur at levels that are below those levels that are recommended for safe consumption. A large treatment gap exists that underscores current problem drinkers are not receiving treatment. Summary: The policy implications are that the recommended guidelines for alcohol use are in need of review.

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