General Population Preferences Regarding Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorders Suggest Pervasive Stigma

To investigate treatment preferences for alcohol use disorders, researchers conducted a random, cross-sectional survey of the Swedish general population aged 16–80. Participants were asked which type and source of treatment they would recommend to a friend or relative with unhealthy alcohol use. Treatment types were: treatment via internet, Alcoholics Anonymous or other support groups, psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and residential treatment. Treatment sources were: social services, psychiatry or other addiction specialist treatment, primary health care, and occupational health care. A total of 9005 individuals completed the survey (62% response rate).

• Individuals with lower* alcohol use tended to recommend support groups as their preferred form of treatment, whereas individuals with higher consumption** favored psychotherapy. Treatment via the internet was the least preferred option among the respondents.
• More than 50% of participants reported psychiatry or other addiction specialist treatment as their preferred source of treatment. Around 10% cited primary health care as their preferred source of treatment and 20% occupational health services.

Comments:

Treatment for alcohol use disorders remains stigmatized; this study suggests that newer forms of treatment (pharmacotherapy, internet) are less commonly recognized as options by the general population. The dissemination of information on alcohol use disorders and available treatments, especially new medications, seems to be key to disseminating effective treatments. Adapting the delivery of treatment for alcohol use disorders to the reported preferences may reduce some of the stigma.

Nicolas Bertholet, MD, MSc

Reference:

Andréasson S, Danielsson AK, Wallhed-Finn S. Preferences regarding treatment for alcohol problems. Alcohol Alcohol. 2013;48(6):694–699.