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Published on: January 7, 2019
Myths and facts about alcohol use disorder: a Delphi consensus study
Sophie Hytner1, Daphne Josselin2, David Belin1
1Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EB, Cambridge, UK.
Brain Communications
|February 10, 2025
Summary
Educational interventions can reduce public stigma surrounding alcohol use disorder (AUD) by debunking myths with facts. This study identified key myth-fact pairs to inform effective public health strategies for AUD.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Psychology
- Addiction Science
Background:
- Public stigma surrounding alcohol use disorder (AUD) remains a significant barrier to treatment and recovery.
- Educational interventions are a promising avenue for reducing this stigma, but require evidence-based content.
- Few rigorously developed interventions exist to counter common myths about AUD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and establish consensus on myth-fact pairs regarding alcohol use disorder for use in public educational interventions.
- To challenge prevalent public stereotypes and reduce stigma associated with AUD.
Main Methods:
- A Delphi expert consensus method was employed with 16 UK-based experts (academics, clinicians, experts-by-experience).
- A systematic literature review informed the initial development of 13 myth-fact pairs.
- Experts participated in three online survey rounds to quantitatively score and reach consensus on myth-fact pair importance.
Main Results:
- Consensus was reached on myth-fact pairs challenging stereotypes that AUD affects only certain groups.
- Key themes emerging from consensus included debunking myths about controllability, blame, and the possibility of recovery for individuals with AUD.
- Myth-fact pairs related to responsibility and recovery were deemed most important for intervention development.
Conclusions:
- The identified myth-fact pairs provide a robust foundation for creating effective educational interventions to combat public stigma of alcohol use disorder.
- Targeting beliefs about responsibility and recovery is crucial for reducing AUD-related stigma.
- This research offers a pathway for developing evidence-based public health campaigns to improve societal understanding of AUD.
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