In a new policy brief, the American College of Physicians (ACP) has outlined recommendations aimed at tackling the pervasive issue of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and excessive drinking in the United States. Recognizing the profound impact of alcohol on public health, the ACP is pushing for substantial policy changes to improve the treatment and prevention of these conditions.
According to the ACP, in 2022, more Americans aged 12 years and older reported using alcohol than tobacco, nicotine vaping products, or illicit drugs. While many individuals consume alcohol in moderation, a significant number engage in excessive drinking, leading to serious health conditions such as heart disease, liver disease, and cancer. Notably, alcohol consumption is a major contributor to injuries, particularly those resulting from motor vehicle accidents.
Despite nearly 30 million people reporting past-year AUD, only about 10% receive appropriate treatment. The ACP emphasized AUD is a chronic but treatable condition, yet it remains grossly undertreated due to various systemic barriers in the health care system.
To combat this issue, the ACP recommends the implementation of comprehensive strategies that include evidence-based public health interventions aimed at reducing excessive alcohol use and its associated harms. Key recommendations include enhancing physician training and support for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of AUD, ensuring sufficient funding for public health initiatives, and implementing policies that address specific challenges such as underage drinking and alcohol use among vulnerable populations.
The ACP also advocates for regulatory and community efforts to curb underage alcohol use and promote safe drinking practices among adults. These measures are aimed at reducing the incidence of impaired driving, preventing alcohol-related harm among young adults, and supporting recovery for those who are unhoused or have limited access to healthcare services.
The complete list of recommendations, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, are as follows:
- ACP reiterates that alcohol use disorder is a treatable chronic medical condition that should be addressed through expansion of evidence-based public health and health care initiatives to prevent, treat, and promote recovery. ACP supports comprehensive coverage of evidence-based screening, diagnosis, and treatment of alcohol use disorder and excessive alcohol use.
- ACP supports training, payment, and delivery system policies to enable physicians and other qualified health care professionals to screen, diagnose, and treat excessive alcohol use and alcohol use disorder.
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ACP recommends sufficient funding for evidence-based public health and health care interventions to prevent and treat excessive alcohol use and alcohol use disorder.
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ACP supports the implementation of evidence-based public health strategies to reduce excessive alcohol use and alcohol use disorder.
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ACP supports interventions to address specific alcohol-related challenges such as impaired driving and motor vehicle harm, disparities in underserved and marginalized populations, excessive drinking among young adults, alcohol use disorder among people who are unhoused, and alcohol use among pregnant people.
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ACP calls on regulators, community groups, educators, and the alcohol industry to make a concerted effort to reduce underage alcohol use. The College recommends federal, state, and local governments implement evidence-based policies to curb underage drinking.
The policy brief was developed after a thorough review of current research and discussions with various stakeholders, including ACP’s governance bodies and specialty councils. The recommendations have been crafted to provide a clear direction for policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organizations involved in the fight against excessive alcohol use and AUD.
This call to action by the ACP highlights the critical need for a coordinated approach to reduce the health and social burdens associated with alcohol. It is a step forward in ensuring that evidence-based treatments and preventive measures reach those in need, ultimately leading to healthier communities across the nation.