Drinking patterns of recovering alcoholics: Results from the 2001–2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC)


Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

3321.0: Monday, December 12, 2005 - Board 2

Abstract #116618

Chiung M. Chen, MA¹, Hsiao-ye Yi, PhD¹, and Michael E. Hilton, PhD². (1) Alcohol Epidemiologic Data System, NIH/NIAAA, CSR, Incorporated, 2107 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1000, Arlington, VA 22201, 7037417125, cchen@csrincorporated.com, (2) Division of Epidemiology and Prevention, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 5635 Fishers Lane, MSC 9304, Bethesda, MD 20892-9304

Previous research has investigated prevalence and correlates of recovery from alcohol dependence (Dawson et al. 1998; 2005). However, drinking patterns among those who fully recovered from alcohol use disorders (AUD) have not been well characterized. To fill this gap, this study examines the heterogeneity in the U.S. non-alcoholic population by comparing individuals who never had an AUD diagnosis with those who did but have been in full remission.

Data were from the 2001–2002 NESARC. Of the total of 43,093 sample adults, 27,858 current or former drinkers who did not have any DSM-IV AUD symptoms in the past 12 months were selected. These respondents were divided into four groups: without lifetime AUDs, recovering from alcohol abuse, recovering from alcohol dependence, and recovering from both alcohol abuse and dependence. Their differences were examined with respect to past year drinking patterns and risk drinking behaviors (e.g., frequency of 5+ drinking and intoxication).

Results show that recovering alcoholics as a whole were more likely than those without lifetime AUDs to be former drinkers (30% and 25.2%, respectively). The percentage of former drinkers was highest among those recovering from both abuse and dependence (38.5%). Among current drinkers, the average daily ethanol consumption estimate was higher for those recovering from abuse (0.43 ounces) and from both abuse and dependence (0.36 ounces) than for those recovering from dependence (0.20 ounces) and those without lifetime AUDs (0.21 ounces). Regression models including past AUD symptom criteria and potential confounders will be used to further examine these patterns.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

Distinguish the concept of symptom, criterion, and diagnosis defined by DSM-IV AUD as well as the definition of full remission.
Identify the potential factors and correlates, mentioned in the literature, of recovering from AUDs.
Discuss how the drinking pattern of recovering alcoholics differs from that of individuals who never met an AUD diagnosis and whether drinking pattern might play a role for recovering alcoholics in maintaining full remission.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Alcohol Consumption Distributions: Interventions and Policies Poster Session

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA