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White Paper
Alcohol Use Disorder is a serious disease affecting millions of Americans that devastates families, burdens the country’s health care and social service systems, adversely affects members of the armed forces, and depresses U.S. economic vitality. This disease directly or indirectly touches virtually all Americans. In 2012, 17 million adults ages 18 years and older met the diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD) a condition determined by a combination of alcohol-related compromise in medical status, reduced work efficiency, significant challenges in interpersonal function, and/or exacerbation or development of other psychiatric conditions. In that same year, approximately 855,000 adolescents (ages 12-17) met the criteria for AUD. It is estimated that 25 percent of persons 18 years of age and over have used alcohol in ways that adversely impacted their families, communities, and society as a whole.
Overall, the estimated costs of alcohol misuse reach approximately $223.5 billion each year. Medical consequences and treatment of AUD account for 11 percent of this amount while more than 72 percent is attributable to reduced earnings. The remaining costs are due to lost workforce productivity, accidents, violence, and premature death.4
As this paper demonstrates, the harmful impact of alcohol misuse, alcohol use disorder, and alcohol-related diseases on this country and its citizens is undeniable and substantial, and gives rise to a great need for additional research on the disease, its consequences, treatment, and prevention.
Click here to read more.
Document for Policymakers
To assist RSA members in their alcohol research advocacy efforts, the GAAC has prepared a visually appealing “one-pager” briefing document for members to share with policymakers. The front page of the document focuses on several key issues of concern for our organization, while the back page contains helpful statistics and talking points that might be of interest to policymakers.
Click here to view the document.
Guide to Meeting with Your Members of Congress
Your goal, when meeting with Congress, is to create an ongoing relationship with the office to help with outreach on future matters that effect alcohol research. Click here to view the guide on how to have a successful meeting.