In the United States, males are more likely to drink alcohol and to be diagnosed with an AUD than females. In 2016, 67.5% of males and 62.3% of females aged 12 or older reported drinking in the past year and 7.2% of males and 4.1% of females received an AUD diagnosis.1 Native Americans had the highest prevalence of AUD (9.2%), followed by non-Hispanic whites (5.9%), blacks (5.6%), Hispanics (5.1%), Pacific Islanders (3.5%), and Asians (3.0%).1 Alcohol use and the risk of AUD peak in younger adults, with those aged 21–25 years having the highest prevalence of past-year drinking (82.6%) and those aged 18–25 having the highest prevalence of AUD (10.7%).1 Marital status also influences AUD rates, which are highest among individuals who have never married, followed by those who are separated, divorced, or widowed; and those who are married or cohabiting.5
