Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to test the hypothesis that severity of AUDs (12 months) was associated with the reported reason for not seeking treatment, categorized according to Saunders’ theoretical framework (1= ‘denial of the problem’, 2 = ‘minimization of problem severity’, 3 = ‘self-change’, 4 = ‘encounter barriers’; see Table 1). The analysis included sub threshold cases fulfilling only one DSM-5 criterion and therefore included more patients than the descriptive analyses reported above. Overall 379 patients were included in the analysis of which 192 had a sub threshold, 140 a mild, 40 a moderate and 25 a severe AUD. The results are shown in Table 4. Based on the model probabilities for reporting a certain reason for not seeking treatment were calculated for each level of severity as defined by DSM-5. The results shown in Fig. 3 indicate lower probabilities of reporting ‘denial’ and higher probabilities to report ‘encounter barriers’ as AUDs severity increases. However, both trends were discontinued for patients with severe AUDs.Table 4Results from multinomial logistic regression. Reported reason not to seek treatment was predicted by alcohol
