Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment Availability at Mental Health Treatment Facilities

Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment Availability at Mental Health Treatment Facilities

Alcoholism--Treatment

Susan H. Busch, David A. Feillin, Kaede Iida, Kim Gannon, Melissa B. Weimer, Jason Hockenberry

JAMA Network Open

Vol. 8

No. 7

2025

American Medical Association

Journal article

English

United States

Open Access

Among adults with mental illness, 18.9% or 11 million individuals have co-occurring alcohol use disorder (AUD).1 Yet, only 8% of individuals with AUD receive treatment, and less than 2% receive medications for alcohol use disorder (MAUD).1 MAUD in particular has been shown to decrease drinking and associated harms from alcohol use.2 Among those with co-occurring disorders, remission from both conditions is more likely if each condition is treated.3 One approach to increase treatment access is to integrate alcohol treatments into behavioral health care settings. Our objective is to assess whether specialty mental health facilities offer treatment for AUD to patients with co-occurring mental health disorders and AUD.

Robin Cole