Low Treatment Rates for Alcohol Use Disorder in Cancer Survivors Highlight Systemic Gaps
Cancer survivors in the U.S. are receiving treatment for alcohol use disorder at very low rates, with only 14.3% initiating treatment within a year of diagnosis. Systemic barriers and stigma contribute to this gap, underscoring the need for improved screening and care.
Recent research reveals that cancer survivors in the United States suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD) are receiving treatment at alarmingly low rates. According to a study published online on May 27, 2025, in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the one-year cumulative incidence of initiating treatment for AUD among this population is only 14.3%. The study analyzed data from the Merative MarketScan database, covering January 2011 to December 2021, focusing on 71,875 cancer survivors with a new diagnosis of AUD.
The findings highlight that only 12.6% of cancer survivors started psychosocial therapies within a year of their AUD diagnosis, while a mere 2.8% initiated FDA-approved medications for AUD (MAUD). Furthermore, just 0.95% received both treatment types simultaneously. The data also show demographic disparities: women had higher treatment initiation rates (18.2%) compared to men (12.2%), and younger survivors under 65 years were more likely to receive treatment (17.2%) than those aged 65 or older (8.3%).
Experts suggest that these low treatment rates may stem from systemic issues, such as healthcare providers' limited awareness of treatment options for AUD and patient-level barriers like stigma and beliefs that alcohol issues may resolve independently. Addressing these gaps is crucial to improve health outcomes for cancer survivors facing AUD.
This research underscores the need for enhanced screening, education, and integrated care approaches to ensure cancer survivors receive the support they need to manage alcohol use disorders effectively.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-alcohol-disorder-treatment-cancer-survivors.html
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