Alcohol is the most widely abused drug in the world. According to the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), 2001-2002, the lifetime prevalence of alcohol abuse is 17.8%. That is almost 1 in 5 people. [21]
Past Year Prevalence and Monthly Binge Drinking:
Data analysis from updated studies published in 2016 show that between NESARC (2001–2002) and NESARC-III (2012–2013), past-year drinking prevalence increased from 65.4 percent to 72.7 percent, and the prevalence of monthly binge drinking increased from 21.5 percent to 25.8 percent.
Additional data shows African Americans experienced disproportionate increases in past-year drinking prevalence (from 53.2 percent to 66.1 percent) and past-month binge drinking prevalence (from 19 percent to 27.7 percent compared with Caucasians. It was suggested that this may indicate imbalance in treatment availability and/or obtaining treatment. [22]
