Alcohol Use Disorder in People Navigating Divorce or Separation

Key things to know What the evidence shows
How common is it? U.S. previously married adults: 11.4% 12-month AUD
Is it more common among people navigating divorce or separation? Strong bidirectional association
Are people navigating divorce or separation at higher risk? Strong
How much higher is the risk? Divorce → first AUD: HR 5.98 men; 7.29 women in Swedish cohort
How often can it be missed? Very High — attributed to breakup coping
Does it show up differently among people navigating divorce or separation? Strong Yes contextually
How might it look different? Increased drinking after separation may be normalized as coping; conversely AUD can contribute to relationship breakdown
What commonly occurs alongside it? Depression; anxiety; other SUD
What can it be confused with? Temporary post-breakup increase vs AUD; depression
Common screening tool AUDIT
Separate screening tool for people navigating divorce or separation None
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