U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Medication for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder: A Brief Guide U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Current evidence shows that medications are underused in the treatment of alcohol use disorder, including alcohol abuse and dependence.* * Within this document "alcohol abuse" and "alcohol dependence" are used when discussing medication indications or research that is based upon this terminology. For a summary of important differences between DSM-IV and DSM-5, please see the box on this page. This is of concern because of the high prevalence of alcohol problems in the general population.1,2 For example, data show that an estimated 10 percent to 20 percent of patients seen in primary care or hospital settings have a diagnosable alcohol use disorder.3,4 People who engage in risky drinking often have physical and social problems related to their alcohol use. Problems with alcohol influence the incidence, course, and treatment of many other medical and psychiatric conditions.