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Prevalence of and Potential Influencing Factors for Alcohol Dependence in Europe

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Peter Anderson

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Abstract

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs), and alcohol dependence (AD) in particular, are prevalent and associated with a large burden of disability and mortality. The aim of this study was to estimate prevalence of AD in the European Union (EU), Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland for the year 2010, and to investigate potential influencing factors. The 1-year prevalence of AD in the EU was estimated at 3.4% among people 18-64 years of age in Europe (women 1.7%, men 5.2%), resulting in close to 11 million affected people. Taking into account all people of all ages, AD, abuse and harmful use resulted in an estimate of 23 million affected people. Prevalence of AD varied widely between European countries, and was significantly impacted by drinking cultures and social norms. Correlations with level of drinking and other drinking variables and with major known outcomes of heavy drinking, such as liver cirrhosis or injury, were moderate. These results suggest a need to rethink the definition of AUDs. (C) 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel

Publication metadata

Author(s): Rehm J, Anderson P, Barry J, Dimitrov P, Elekes Z, Feijao F, Frick U, Gual A, Gmel G, Kraus L, Marmet S, Raninen J, Rehm MX, Scafato E, Shield KD, Trapencieris M, Gmel G

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: European Addiction Research

Year: 2015

Volume: 21

Issue: 1

Pages: 6-18

Print publication date: 01/01/2015

Online publication date: 01/12/2014

Acceptance date: 17/06/2014

ISSN (print): 1022-6877

ISSN (electronic): 1421-9891

Publisher: S. Karger AG

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000365284

DOI: 10.1159/000365284

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