Alarming numbers of alcohol use and alcohol use disorder in Europe: time for action

Kurzzusammenfassung in leicht verständlicher Sprache

Alcohol consumption in Europe is among the highest globally and contributes substantially to the continent’s burden of disease. About 10% of European adults meet criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Despite a variety of harms, treatment coverage for AUD remains low, with only a small minority receiving care. The alcohol industry exerts significant influence over public perceptions and policy, often opposing effective population-level control measures. Emerging evidence indicates that no level of alcohol consumption is safe, and recent developments support broader treatment goals, including reduced drinking. Drawing parallels with successes in cardiovascular disease prevention, this paper argues that meaningful reductions in alcohol-related harm require a dual strategy: strong public health regulation combined with expanded, accessible, evidence-based treatment services across Europe.

Abstract

Hintergrund und Fragestellung
Alcohol consumption in Europe remains among the highest worldwide and contributes substantially to population morbidity and mortality. Approximately one in ten European adults meet criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD), and alcohol-related causes account for close to one million deaths annually. Alcohol use is causally linked to a variety of diseases and disorders, wide-ranging social and economic harms. Prevention and treatment responses remain fragmented. The alcohol industry exerts considerable influence over public debate and policy, often opposing effective population-level control measures. This talk aims to comment on current evidence on alcohol-related harm, prevention, and treatment in Europe and to articulate a coherent framework for reducing alcohol-related burden.

Methoden
The talk is a narrative review informed by international epidemiological reports, systematic and scoping reviews, and clinical and public health literature on alcohol use, alcohol-related harm, and AUD treatment. Evidence was purposively selected to describe the scale of alcohol-related harm in Europe, assess recent developments in understanding alcohol-related risk, outline treatment coverage and effectiveness, and examine policy responses. Conceptual parallels were drawn.

Ergebnisse
Evidence consistently demonstrates that alcohol use contributes to a substantial proportion of preventable disease and premature mortality across Europe. Emerging research indicates that no level of alcohol consumption can be considered entirely risk-free. Treatment coverage for AUD remains low in many European countries, typically reaching only some of those affected. Recent clinical developments, including acceptance of reduced drinking as a legitimate treatment outcome, may increase treatment uptake and engagement. Experience from cardiovascular disease prevention highlights that sustained reductions in harm depend on combining population-level regulation with accessible, evidence-based clinical care.

Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung
Meaningful reductions in alcohol-related harm require an integrated strategy combining strong public health regulation with expanded, modern, and accessible treatment for AUD. Prevention and treatment efforts is essential to closing the current gap between alcohol-related harm and societal response.

Interessenskonflikte sowie Erklärung zur Finanzierung
I declare that over the past three years there have been no financial interests or personal connections that could have influenced the work described in the submitted abstract.