Alcohol withdrawal epidemiology and demographics

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shakiba Hassanzadeh, MD[2] Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [3]; Kiran Singh, M.D. [4]

The incidence of alcohol dependence is approximately 8 million individuals, annually, in the United States, and about 50% of them experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms with decreased or discontinuation of alcohol consumption. Alcohol withdrawal is rare in patients <30 years old, and the severity increases with more age. 5% of patients with alcohol withdrawal will present with severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms including seizures and delirium tremens (DT). 5% of patients with alcohol withdrawal and delirium tremens (DT) die from various complications.

• The incidence of alcohol dependence is approximately 8 million individuals, annually, in the United States, and about 50% of them experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms with decreased or discontinuation of alcohol consumption.^[1][2]

• The prevalence of alcohol withdrawal is approximately 50% of middle-class individuals with alcohol use disorder.
• The prevalence of alcohol withdrawal is approximately 80% of hospitalized or homeless individuals with alcohol use disorder.^[2]

• 5% of patients with alcohol withdrawal will present with severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms including seizures and delirium tremens (DT).^[3] 5% of patients with alcohol withdrawal and delirium tremens (DT) die from various complications such as cardiovascular, metabolic, infections, and trauma.^[4][5]

• Alcohol withdrawal is rare in patients <30 years old, and the severity increases with more age.^[2]

• It is estimated that about 20% of men and 10% of women have alcohol use disorder, and in about half of them alcohol withdrawal symptoms will be observed with a decrease in alcohol intake.^[1][2]