Alcohol dependence is associated with significant economic burden, both directly and via its comorbidity with other substance use disorders and psychopathology. Data collected for the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing in 1997 showed that 4.1% those surveyed met the criteria for DSM-IV alcohol dependence (19% meeting at least one DSM-IV alcohol abuse or dependence criterion) in the preceding 12 months (2006). Findings are similar in the United States, with prevalence for 12-month and lifetime DSM-IV alcohol dependence being 3.8% and 12.5% (Hasin et al., 2007).
