Need for Strategic Health and Intervention Concept Changes with Current Epidemiologic Trends in Alcoholic Population
Marion Coe, NIAAA, NIH 
Robert Karch, American University DC 
Vijay A Ramchandnai, NIAAA NIH 
*Vatsalya Vatsalya, NIAAA NIH 

Keywords: Alcoholism, Intervention, Health, Policy

Alcoholism causes 79,000 deaths annually in USA, with 5% population indulged in heavy drinking and 15% in binge drinking as reported by CDC’s behavioral risk 2009 survey. Significant variation in the demographics, including gender and race, and drinking patterns necessitates conducting of surveys at regular time intervals for adequate intervention response. Consumption patterns, demographic variations, classification of alcohol use disorders, and history of alcohol problems comparators were used to identify concerning areas that can support revisions in current health care planning. Comparators were assessed on the outcome reports of the NIAAA National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions data from 2001-2002 (wave I) and 2004-2005 (wave II) years. The survey included longitudinal data in wave I for 43,093 participant responses and follow-up during wave II survey from 34,653 participants. Major results in the wave II surveys demonstrated 77.54±0.43 % of the population (75.20±0.60 % males and 79.97±0.56 % females) continued drinking during the interval and remained without Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) diagnosis from the wave I drinking population. 5.36±0.36 % developed alcohol abuse and 3.55±0.17 % developed alcohol dependence. Only 13.55±0.41 % of the drinking population remained without AUD and stopped drinking. In the abuse group data, 52.43±1.56 % showed non-abstinent remission, 29.95±1.43 % remained alcohol abuse and 14.01±1.23 % developed alcohol dependence. In the alcohol dependence category, 18.45±1.45 % remained in non-abstinent remission to no AUD, 39.90±1.71 developed partial remission and 36.34±1.70 remained alcohol dependent (38.69±2.21 % males and 31.33±2.46 % females). 42.21 % of white male drinkers with alcohol dependence at wave I, remained alcohol dependent at wave II whereas 37.24 % went into partial remission. This evaluation reflect the need for timely strategic healthcare initiatives for the observed trends in gender and race/ethnicity, alcohol drinking subcategories, with a reinforced emphasis on targeted planning; implementation, monitoring and evaluation components. Strengthening of relapse counter-measures, consistency and diversification in support group framework, short and long-term intervention interchangeability and overlap, and time-course monitoring would need strategic prioritizing in present and immediate future to orient efforts in containing and/or reducing this prevalence.