Some studies report combined statistics for alcohol abuse and dependence. For example, according to a 2006 NSDUH Report, 18.2 million people, or 7.6 percent of the population, in the United States met the criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence in 2004. (The statistic did not distinguish between alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence.) Alcohol abuse or dependence was found more commonly among adults ages 18 and older who were never married (16 percent) than among adults who were divorced or separated (10 percent), married (4.5 percent), or widowed (1.3 percent).

In considering age groups, the largest percentage of alcohol abuse or dependence was found among young adults ages 18 to 25 years (17.4 percent), followed by those who were ages 26 to 34 years (11.4 percent). In considering race and ethnicity, American Indians or Alaska Natives had the highest percentage of alcohol abuse or dependence (14 percent), followed by Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders (8.5 percent) and Hispanics (8.2 percent).

With regard to gender, males were more likely to be alcohol abusers or alcohol dependent (10.6 percent) than females (4.9 percent). In addition, adults living with children were less likely (6.5 percent) to be alcohol abusers or dependent on alcohol than those who did not have children living in the home (8.5 percent).

Those who had alcohol abuse/dependence were more likely (34.2 percent) to have been treated in an emergency room or hospital in the past year than those who were not abusers or dependent (27.9 percent). However, both groups perceived that they had very good or excellent health; 61.8 percent of those who were alcohol abusers and dependent responded that they had good health and 62.6 percent of the other group also reported good health.

References:

Office of Applied Studies. "Alcohol Dependence or Abuse: 2002, 2003, and 2004," The NSDUH Report 16, 2006.

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