Reasons why Young Adults do or do not Seek help for Alcohol Problems

Abstract

Objective:To investigate reasons for seeking or not seeking help for alcohol problems in young adults and to report outcomes in those with problems who thought they did not need help. Methods:A total of 1003 members of a birth cohort were interviewed at age 25 about the period since the previous interview at age 21. DSM-IV diagnoses were made from reports of alcohol problems over the previous 4 years. Treatment contact for drinking or problems associated with drinking and reasons for seeking or not seeking help were reported. Alcohol consumption was reported for the year before interview. Results:Alcohol-specific treatment contact was uncommon: 26 of 351 with any alcohol problems made contact (7%). Even in the subgroup with alcohol dependence, only 24% made contact (13/55). Most (19/26) sought treatment because they felt they needed it. Of those with problems who did not seek help or advice, nearly all (96%) thought they did not need help. Approximately one-quarter thought the problem would get better by itself (29%) or did not think to seek help (25%). No more than 5% reported any other attitudinal or practical reason. Outcomes in the year before interview for those who thought they did not need help showed that 75% continued to experience problems and almost all drank well above guidelines at least on their heaviest drinking occasion. Only 43% had attempted to quit or cut down on their drinking. Conclusions:Alcohol-related problems were experienced by approximately one-third of these young adults but treatment contact for these problems was uncommon. Belief in ability to handle problems oneself was often not matched by action.