Marital Status and Treatment Utilization for Alcohol Use Disorders

Abstract

Objectives Marital status influences observed rates of alcohol use disorders (AUDs), and married and cohabiting (ie, partnered) individuals may be less likely than separated, divorced, or widowed (previously married) individuals to seek treatment for alcohol problems. To guide dissemination of treatment for partnered individuals, this study examined the representation of AUDs among individuals from different marital status groups, and examined the interaction between AUD status and marital status on prior-year alcohol treatment utilization. Methods Respondents included individuals who met criteria for a past-year AUD (N=3327) from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Analyses were conducted that examined the association between marital and AUD status, and the interaction between marital and AUD status on past-year alcohol treatment utilization. Results Results confirmed that partnered individuals were overrepresented among individuals with an alcohol abuse diagnosis. Low rates of alcohol treatment utilization were present across marital groups. Among those with an alcohol abuse diagnosis, partnered individuals were less likely to seek treatment than previously married individuals. Conclusions Few individuals meeting criteria for an AUD used alcohol treatment, indicating a great need for dissemination of alcohol treatments. Partnered individuals with an alcohol abuse diagnosis are a group that may benefit particularly from efforts to disseminate efficacious treatments tailored to the needs of individuals in a committed romantic relationship.