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Reasons why young adults do or do not seek help for alcohol problems
J Elisabeth Wells1, L John Horwood, David M Fergusson
1Public Health and General Practice, University of Otago (Christchurch), Christchurch, New Zealand. elisabeth.wells@chmeds.ac.nz
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
|November 14, 2007
Summary
Young adults with alcohol problems rarely sought treatment, often believing they could manage independently. This self-reliance frequently failed, with most continuing to experience issues and excessive drinking.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Alcohol-related problems affect a significant portion of young adults.
- Seeking professional help for alcohol issues is often delayed or avoided.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the reasons young adults seek or avoid help for alcohol problems.
- To examine the outcomes for those with alcohol problems who believed they did not require assistance.
Main Methods:
- A birth cohort of 1003 individuals was interviewed at age 25.
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria were used to assess alcohol problems over four years.
- Self-reported treatment contact, reasons for seeking/not seeking help, and alcohol consumption were recorded.
Main Results:
- Only 7% of young adults with any alcohol problems and 24% with alcohol dependence contacted treatment services.
- The primary reason for not seeking help was the belief that it was not needed (96%).
- Those who did not seek help often continued to experience problems, with 75% still facing issues and most drinking above guidelines.
Conclusions:
- Treatment contact for alcohol problems in young adults is infrequent.
- A prevalent belief in self-management among those with alcohol problems is often not substantiated by positive outcomes.
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