Reasons for not seeking alcohol use disorder treatment

Abstract

Background: In Denmark, there is a high prevalence of individuals suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, of these, only 10% seeks treatment. The aim of this study was to examine reasons not to seek treatment among people who suffer from AUD.Methods: Participants suffering from AUD were recruited among somatic as well as psychiatric in and outpatients. The study was qualitative, based on semi-structured individual participant interviews. The analysis was narrative.Results: The participant group consisted of two women and four men. Their average age was 58. The investigation indicated that the participants felt that alcohol added to their quality of life and that they enjoyed using it in social settings. Also, it seemed that there were two major groups of facilitating factors towards rehabilitation: health-related issues as well as relatives and relations. Finally, two major reasons for not seeking AUD treatment appeared: participants did not believe that it was a relevant offer for them and participants wanted to deal with their alcohol overuse issue themselves.Conclusions: In gaining an understanding of the reasons not to seek AUD treatment, we simultaneously gain an opportunity to adapt prevention campaign strategies and treatment offers to become even more inclusive towards people who may suffer from AUD but do not recognize and acknowledge a treatment need. Here, increased focus on several initiatives might contribute to a decrease of barriers to treatment-seeking and, thus, increase the proportion of people suffering from AUD who consider to and actually do seek treatment.