Trends in Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment Utilization and Location from 2008 to 2017

Objective: Little is known about recent trends in treatment for alcohol use disorder. The authors used national data to examine treatment trends among individuals with alcohol use disorder. Methods: A sample of nonelderly adults (ages 18–64 years, N=36,707) with alcohol use disorder was identified from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine trends in treatment for alcohol use disorder in 2008–2010, 2011–2013, and 2014–2017 in any medical setting (hospitals, rehabilitation centers, mental health centers, emergency departments, and private doctors’ offices), self-help groups only (no medical setting), and no setting (i.e., no treatment). Additional analyses investigated trends in mental health treatment. Regression models adjusted for predisposing, enabling, and need-related characteristics. Results: Among those with an alcohol use disorder, the percentage who received any treatment was significantly lower in 2011–2013 (5.6%) than in 2008–2010 (6.9%) (p