In the context of “harm reduction,” individuals may make positive changes in their lives that do not include reduced alcohol use and may consider themselves “in recovery” even though their AUD status remains unchanged (Denning and Little 2012). For example, among the 2005 and 2010 National Alcohol Survey respondents, 18% of current drinkers who identified as “in recovery” from alcohol problems (who do not use drugs) are DSM-IV alcohol dependent, and 26% of current drinkers who also use drugs are DSM-IV alcohol dependent. Thus relying on DSM criteria to define a sample of individuals in recovery may unintentionally exclude individuals who are engaging in non-abstinent or harm reduction techniques and making positive changes in their lives.
