Alcohol Use Disorder - Epidemiology Forecast - 2034
Description
Key Highlights
AUD is a growing global health concern with rising prevalence, especially in the US and parts of Europe. This rise is largely driven by increasing work-related stress, lifestyle changes, anxiety, and greater exposure to medications that may lead to dependency.
The 12-month prevalence of AUD demonstrates regional differences. Asian countries including Japan report relatively low rates of AUD, attributed to cultural norms, and generally lower alcohol consumption per capita. In contrast, the United States exhibits markedly higher prevalence, with recent estimates suggesting ~28 million Americans are affected by AUD due to more permissive cultural attitudes toward drinking.
Due to delayed or missed diagnoses, especially among women who often drink in isolation without visible stigma, routine alcohol screenings during wellness visits are critical to identifying hidden cases and initiating timely intervention.
Alcohol dependence develops gradually and is more prevalent among men and younger individuals. Over time, it leads to increased tolerance, compulsive cravings, and loss of control. Abrupt cessation can result in severe withdrawal symptoms, ranging from restlessness and insomnia to seizures, underscoring the need for timely intervention.
DelveInsight’s “Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) – Epidemiology Forecast – 2034” report delivers an in-depth understanding of AUD, historical and forecasted epidemiology in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan.
Geography Covered
The United States
EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom
Japan
Study Period: 2020–2034
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Understanding
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Overview
AUD is a chronic brain condition marked by the inability to control alcohol use despite harmful consequences. It varies in severity and is diagnosed based on criteria like cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal. AUD affects millions globally and is more common in men, though rates are rising among women and youth. Key risk factors include genetics, mental health issues, and early alcohol exposure. It leads to serious health problems such as liver disease, cardiovascular complications, and cognitive decline. Treatment includes behavioral therapy, medications, and support groups, but there remains a need for better diagnostics, personalized care, and reduced stigma. Early intervention and comprehensive, long-term support can significantly improve recovery outcomes.
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Diagnosis
The diagnosis of AUD is primarily clinical and based on the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). A person must meet at least two out of eleven criteria within a 12-month period, which assess patterns such as impaired control over drinking, social or interpersonal problems related to alcohol use, risky use, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. Clinicians often use validated screening tools like the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) or CAGE questionnaire to assess severity and impact. In addition to interviews and self-reported drinking behavior, biological markers such as Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT), and Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) can support diagnosis, monitor relapse, or confirm abstinence particularly in clinical, legal, or occupational settings. However, these markers are not definitive and are best used alongside clinical assessment.
Further details related to country-based variations in diagnosis are provided in the report…
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Epidemiology
The epidemiology chapter in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by 12-month diagnosed prevalent cases of AUD, gender-specific diagnosed prevalent cases of AUD, age-specific diagnosed prevalent cases of AUD, severity-specific diagnosed prevalent cases of AUD, and total treated cases of AUD covering the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan from 2020 to 2034.
Among the 7MM, the US reported the highest number of 12-month prevalent cases in 2024, totaling approximately 29 million. This high burden is attributed to stable prevalence rates over time, compounded by population growth, increased alcohol use in certain subgroups.
In the US, AUD affects roughly 70% of males and 30% of females.
In EU4 and the UK, the higher prevalence of AUD among individuals aged 45–64 years can be attributed to cumulative exposure to alcohol over time. Alcohol use remains socially accepted in this group, often delaying recognition of harmful patterns and contributing to sustained use and related harm.
In Japan, the highest number of AUD cases was accounted for by severe AUD, with approximately 517,000 cases. This reflects delayed diagnosis and highlights the urgent need for early detection to prevent health complications and reduce system burden.
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Report Insights
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Report Insights
Patient population
Country-wise epidemiology distribution
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) report key strengths
Ten-year forecast
7MM coverage
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) epidemiology segmentation
FAQs
What are the disease risks, burdens, and unmet needs of alcohol use disorder? What will be the growth opportunities across the 7MM concerning the patient population with alcohol use disorder?
What is the historical and forecasted alcohol use disorder patient pool in the US, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the UK, and Japan?
Reasons to Buy
Insights on patient burden/disease prevalence, evolution in diagnosis, and factors contributing to the change in the epidemiology of the disease during the forecast years.
To understand key opinion leaders’ perspectives around the diagnostic challenges to overcome barriers in the future.
Detailed insights on various factors hampering disease diagnosis and other existing diagnostic challenges.
AUD is a growing global health concern with rising prevalence, especially in the US and parts of Europe. This rise is largely driven by increasing work-related stress, lifestyle changes, anxiety, and greater exposure to medications that may lead to dependency.
The 12-month prevalence of AUD demonstrates regional differences. Asian countries including Japan report relatively low rates of AUD, attributed to cultural norms, and generally lower alcohol consumption per capita. In contrast, the United States exhibits markedly higher prevalence, with recent estimates suggesting ~28 million Americans are affected by AUD due to more permissive cultural attitudes toward drinking.
Due to delayed or missed diagnoses, especially among women who often drink in isolation without visible stigma, routine alcohol screenings during wellness visits are critical to identifying hidden cases and initiating timely intervention.
Alcohol dependence develops gradually and is more prevalent among men and younger individuals. Over time, it leads to increased tolerance, compulsive cravings, and loss of control. Abrupt cessation can result in severe withdrawal symptoms, ranging from restlessness and insomnia to seizures, underscoring the need for timely intervention.
DelveInsight’s “Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) – Epidemiology Forecast – 2034” report delivers an in-depth understanding of AUD, historical and forecasted epidemiology in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan.
Geography Covered
The United States
EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom
Japan
Study Period: 2020–2034
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Understanding
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Overview
AUD is a chronic brain condition marked by the inability to control alcohol use despite harmful consequences. It varies in severity and is diagnosed based on criteria like cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal. AUD affects millions globally and is more common in men, though rates are rising among women and youth. Key risk factors include genetics, mental health issues, and early alcohol exposure. It leads to serious health problems such as liver disease, cardiovascular complications, and cognitive decline. Treatment includes behavioral therapy, medications, and support groups, but there remains a need for better diagnostics, personalized care, and reduced stigma. Early intervention and comprehensive, long-term support can significantly improve recovery outcomes.
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Diagnosis
The diagnosis of AUD is primarily clinical and based on the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). A person must meet at least two out of eleven criteria within a 12-month period, which assess patterns such as impaired control over drinking, social or interpersonal problems related to alcohol use, risky use, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. Clinicians often use validated screening tools like the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) or CAGE questionnaire to assess severity and impact. In addition to interviews and self-reported drinking behavior, biological markers such as Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT), and Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) can support diagnosis, monitor relapse, or confirm abstinence particularly in clinical, legal, or occupational settings. However, these markers are not definitive and are best used alongside clinical assessment.
Further details related to country-based variations in diagnosis are provided in the report…
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Epidemiology
The epidemiology chapter in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by 12-month diagnosed prevalent cases of AUD, gender-specific diagnosed prevalent cases of AUD, age-specific diagnosed prevalent cases of AUD, severity-specific diagnosed prevalent cases of AUD, and total treated cases of AUD covering the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan from 2020 to 2034.
Among the 7MM, the US reported the highest number of 12-month prevalent cases in 2024, totaling approximately 29 million. This high burden is attributed to stable prevalence rates over time, compounded by population growth, increased alcohol use in certain subgroups.
In the US, AUD affects roughly 70% of males and 30% of females.
In EU4 and the UK, the higher prevalence of AUD among individuals aged 45–64 years can be attributed to cumulative exposure to alcohol over time. Alcohol use remains socially accepted in this group, often delaying recognition of harmful patterns and contributing to sustained use and related harm.
In Japan, the highest number of AUD cases was accounted for by severe AUD, with approximately 517,000 cases. This reflects delayed diagnosis and highlights the urgent need for early detection to prevent health complications and reduce system burden.
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Report Insights
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Report Insights
Patient population
Country-wise epidemiology distribution
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) report key strengths
Ten-year forecast
7MM coverage
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) epidemiology segmentation
FAQs
What are the disease risks, burdens, and unmet needs of alcohol use disorder? What will be the growth opportunities across the 7MM concerning the patient population with alcohol use disorder?
What is the historical and forecasted alcohol use disorder patient pool in the US, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the UK, and Japan?
Reasons to Buy
Insights on patient burden/disease prevalence, evolution in diagnosis, and factors contributing to the change in the epidemiology of the disease during the forecast years.
To understand key opinion leaders’ perspectives around the diagnostic challenges to overcome barriers in the future.
Detailed insights on various factors hampering disease diagnosis and other existing diagnostic challenges.
Table of Contents
90 Pages
- 1. Key Insights
- 2. Report Introduction
- 3. Executive Summary of AUD
- 4. Epidemiology Methodology
- 5. AUD Market Overview at a Glance
- 5.1. Clinical Landscape (Analysis by Molecule Type, Phase, and Route of Administration [RoA])
- 6. Disease Background and Overview
- 6.1. Introduction
- 6.2. Symptoms
- 6.3. Risk Factors
- 6.4. Pathophysiology
- 6.5. Types of Alcoholics
- 6.6. Diagnosis
- 6.7. Biomarkers
- 7. Epidemiology and Patient Population
- 7.1. Key Findings
- 7.2. Assumptions and Rationale
- 7.3. 12-month Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of AUD in the 7MM
- 7.4. Total Treated Cases of AUD in the 7MM
- 7.5. The United States
- 7.5.1. 12-months Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of AUD in the US
- 7.5.2. Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of AUD in the US
- 7.5.3. Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of AUD in the US
- 7.5.4. Severity-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of AUD in the US
- 7.6. EU4 and the UK
- 7.6.1. 12-months Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of AUD in EU4 and the UK
- 7.6.2. Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of AUD in EU4 and the UK
- 7.6.3. Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of AUD in EU4 and the UK
- 7.6.4. Severity-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of AUD in EU4 and the UK
- 7.7. Japan
- 7.7.1. 12-months Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of AUD in Japan
- 7.7.2. Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of AUD in Japan
- 7.7.3. Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of AUD in Japan
- 7.7.4. Severity-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of AUD in Japan
- 8. Appendix
- 8.1. Bibliography
- 8.2. Report Methodology
- 9. DelveInsight Capabilities
- 10. Disclaimer
- 11. About DelveInsight
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