US study identifies gaps in alcohol addiction treatment for women

A study published in the Substance Use & Addiction Journal reveals significant disparities in specialized alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment for women across the United States. Research led by the Boston University School of Public Health, in collaboration with Columbia University and Boston Medical Center, analyzed nearly 14,000 adult treatment centers in 2024.

The findings indicate that 41.5% of the analyzed facilities did not offer programs specifically tailored to women's needs. This shortage is particularly acute in regions where the prevalence of AUD among women exceeds the national average of approximately 8%. While prevalence rates varied from 6.2% in Utah to 12.7% in Washington, D.C., many states in New England, the West, and the Midwest reported rates higher than the national mean.

Furthermore, 23 states and Puerto Rico were found to have fewer than 10 specialized treatment centers for every 10,000 adult women estimated to have the disorder. Researchers attributed these service gaps to various factors, including public policy, alcohol taxes, cultural norms, social stigma, and general healthcare availability.