As we focus on the opioid epidemic in the United States, it is critical that we do not overlook alcohol use during pregnancy. Although both untreated opioid use disorder and alcohol misuse pose risks for maternal, fetal, and child morbidities, alcohol is the substance with the most significant documentation of harms. At the same time, there is an ever-growing use of alcohol among women who continue drinking during pregnancy that has received less focus. The numbers of women using opioids who become pregnant have captured the attention of media, research, policy, and community. Implementation of this knowledge in clinical practice and training of health care providers is also needed to ensure appropriate diagnosis and treatment of individuals suffering from alcohol use disorder.
Although recent research has expanded understanding of alcohol use disorder, more research is needed to identify the neurobiological, genetic and epigenetic, psychological, social, and environmental factors most critical in the etiology and treatment of this disease. Current pharmaceutical and behavioral treatments may assist patients in reducing alcohol use or facilitating alcohol abstinence. Alcohol use disorder also has economic consequences, costing the United States at least $249 billion annually.
adults experiencing alcohol use disorder at some point during their lives. Alcohol use disorder is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, with nearly one-third of U.S. Alcohol is a major contributor to global disease and a leading cause of preventable death, causing approximately 88,000 deaths annually in the United States alone.