Email UpdatesAlcohol is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and as of 2019, nearly 15 million people ages 12 and older had an alcohol use disorder (AUD). While the Food and Drug Administration has approved three medications for the treatment of AUD, these medications are prescribed to less than 4 percent of people with AUD.
The Agency for Healthcare and Research Quality (AHRQ) EvidenceNOW: Managing Unhealthy Alcohol Use Initiative has developed a new resource, Overview of Medications Used in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder and Frequently Asked Questions, that answers common questions primary care clinicians ask about the medications prescribed for AUD.
Primary care settings are frequent entry points for those seeking help for AUD or an alcohol-related medical problem. This new resource can help primary care clinicians with effectively managing AUD and improving patient health.
For more information, please see:
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - Alcohol’s Effects on Health: Alcohol Facts and Statistics
- AHRQ Academy - EvidenceNOW: Managing Unhealthy Alcohol Use Initiative