MinnPost reports on a recent study from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stating that nearly a third of American adults drink excessive amounts of alcohol, but only 10 percent of them are alcoholics. “That’s a surprising finding,” comments MinnPost. “For the prevailing assumption has been that most people who drink excessively are alcohol dependent… The new CDC finding also has important public-health implications, for it suggests that most excessive drinkers don’t need to be treated for addiction.”
“People who drink excessively but are not alcohol dependent benefit more, say the CDC researchers, from policies that reduce people’s access to alcohol, such as raising the tax on alcohol, restricting the days and hours during which alcohol can be sold, and holding bars, restaurants and other businesses civilly liable for damages caused by intoxicated patrons.”
Only 1 in 10 heavy drinkers in U.S. are alcoholics, CDC study finds (MinnPost, November 24, 2014)
