The epidemiology of DSM-IV alcohol use disorders amongst young adults in the Australian population.

AIM

The aim of the study was to examine the descriptive epidemiology of 12-month alcohol use disorders (AUDs) amongst young adults in the Australian general population.

METHODS

The 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Well Being, a nationally representative household survey of 8841 Australian adults (16-85 years), assessed participants for symptoms of the most prevalent DSM-IV mental disorders. Young adults were over-sampled to provide detailed information on this age group.

RESULTS

11.1% of young adults in the Australian population were diagnosed with an AUD. Compared with the rest of the young adult sample, young adults with AUDs were at greater risk of reporting another drug use disorder, an anxiety disorder, high levels of consumption, a medium or high score on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, and a moderate to severe score on the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. Mental health services were rarely used by young adults with AUDs. Difficulties in differentiating young adults diagnosed with abuse and those diagnosed with dependence with the criteria we used supported accumulating evidence questioning the validity of the abuse-dependence distinction.

CONCLUSIONS

AUDs in young adulthood are prevalent and associated with comorbid psychopathology, risky levels of alcohol consumption and disability. Despite the clinical significance of AUDs in this age group, few young adults with these disorders use mental health services. In this age group, the proposed changes for DSM-V regarding the classification of AUD would seem helpful.