Description
Alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are endemic societal problems that have been willingly absorbed into the social fabric of our society for generations. They cause an enormous amount of medical pathology, human suffering, loss of productivity and cost to our medical care system and the nation’s economy. Alcohol misuse accounts for 30 million individuals with alcohol use disorder, 5% of cancers, 50% of liver disease deaths, and up to 25 % of pancreatitis. While efforts to employ screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment have successfully initiated screening in many situations, brief intervention and referral to treatment remain underused. Missed screening opportunities especially for some subgroups and the more widespread lack of follow up after screening contribute to a significant treatment gap: less than 10% of individuals in need of treatment receive treatment for AUD. Less than 2% receive one of the three FDA approved and effective medications for treatment of AUD. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed some long-neglected drivers of AUD: increased drinking to cope with stress, interaction of alcohol with mental health, the role of alcohol in women’s health, alcohol and health in older adults, and understanding recovery from AUD. The good news is that a cultural change is underway as highlighted by movements to reevaluate our relationship with alcohol such as Dry January, Sober October, and the broader Sober Curious movement. Underage drinking has steadily declined for the past 20 years. Current NIAAA priorities and challenges include providing resources for the public to facilitate prevention among young adults (College Aim), to help individuals evaluate their own relationship with alcohol (Rethinking Drinking), and to assist those seeking treatment (NIAAA Treatment Navigator). Also, the Healthcare Professional Core Resource on Alcohol, launched in 2022, provides healthcare professionals with evidence-based knowledge and resources to address alcohol misuse in clinical practice. An operational definition of recovery has been formulated to facilitate evidence-based research on the factors that promote recovery. Efforts are underway to facilitate the development of individualized treatment for AUD with an emphasis on a harm reduction framework. Challenges that remain include expanding the uptake of screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT), exploring and expanding a role for telehealth in treatment, addressing stigma, addressing diversity, equity and health disparities in the alcohol field, and developing the next generation of alcohol researchers. Addressing such challenges will facilitate the implementation of evidence-based diagnosis, prevention and treatment of alcohol use disorder and will significantly improve health and reduce health care costs.
Format
Recorded webinar, non-interactive, self-paced distance learning activity.
This presentation was recorded at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting 2023.
Learning Objectives
- Define the negative consequences of alcohol misuse
- Identify positive societal changes related to alcohol consumption
- Describe drivers of AUD and alcohol misuse amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic
Target Audience
Psychiatrists
Estimated Time to Complete
Estimated Duration: 90 minutes
Begin Date: January 1, 2024
End Date: January 1, 2027
How to Earn Credit
Participants who wish to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™ or a certificate of participation may do so by completing all sections of the course including the evaluation. After evaluating the program, course participants will be provided with an opportunity to claim hours of participation and print an official CME certificate (physicians) or certificate of participation (non-physicians) showing the event date and hours earned.
Continuing Education Credit
In support of improving patient care, the American Psychiatric Association is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physicians
The APA designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Faculty and Planner Disclosures
The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity — including faculty, planners, reviewers or others — are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.
Program Presenters
- George F. Koob, Ph.D., National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
- Vikas Gupta, M.D., Ph.D., Massachusetts General Hospital. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
Program Planners
- Vishal Madaan, MD, Chief of Education and Deputy Medical Director, APA. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities
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Technical Requirements
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- Internet Explorer 11+
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Optimal System Configuration:
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