Implications of the shift to DSM‐5 for alcohol use disorder prevalence estimates in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health

Higher recent base rates of alcohol use disorders (AUD) in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health are likely, at least partially, explained by measurement changes in AUD; specifically, the shift from DSM-IV abuse or dependence to DSM-5 AUD. The DSM-5 formulation appears substantially more inclusive than the DSM-IV formulation, leading to a larger number of mild severity individuals being captured.