ABSTRACT
In the World Health Organization’s Global Burden of Disease Study (1), alcohol use disorders (abuse and dependence) ranked fifth in the undeveloped world and second in the developed world (ages 15-44 years) in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs); this measure is a composite of time lost because of premature mortality and time lived with a disability. In the United States alone, approximately 18 million people, or 7% of the population, suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence. The direct and indirect economic burden ascribed to alcohol use is estimated to be $185 billion (2). Clearly, more effective prevention and treatment of this major public health problem is needed.
