To determine the prevalence of past 12 month DSM-5 alcohol use disorders (AUDs), to quantify and characterize individuals who remain stably unaffected or affected and those who diagnostically “switch” between DSM-IV and DSM-5 classifications.
Data from the nationally representative Wave 2 of the National Epidemiological Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) collected in 2004-2005.
All surveyed participants (N = 34,653, aged 21 and older) and 29,993 individuals reporting lifetime alcohol use across both waves of NESARC.
DSM-IV and DSM-5 criteria were coded using proposed guidelines.
The prevalence of DSM-5 AUDs was 10.8% with the corresponding prevalence of DSM-IV abuse/dependence being 9.7%, implying a modest 11.3% increase. Those who diagnostically switched from affected to unaffected (19.6% of DSM-IV affected) were most likely to have endorsed hazardous use, particularly due to drinking and driving while those who transitioned from unaffected to affected (3.3% of DSM-IV unaffected) were primarily DSM-IV diagnostic orphans reporting larger/longer and quit/cut-back. Dropping the legal criterion did not significantly affect the prevalence while the addition of craving also had a relatively modest impact on prevalence.
The proposed DSM-5 revisions successfully eliminate individuals previously diagnosed with DSM-IV alcohol abuse primarily due to hazardous use alone and incorporate diagnostic orphans into the diagnostic realm. Definitions of craving and importantly, hazardous use require considerable attention as it is likely that they will contribute to variations in reports of increased prevalence of alcohol use disorders between DSM-IV to DSM-5.
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Request Reprint E-Mail: arpana@wustl.edu
