Screening and Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder in China: Current Situation and Recommendations for Improvement

This review aims to evaluate the current landscape of screening, intervention, and treatment of harmful drinking and alcohol use disorder (AUD) in China, aiming to identify key limitations and propose recommendations for improvement.

A targeted literature review was conducted, emphasizing three main areas: (1) Screening and early intervention, (2) Evidence-based treatments (including medications and psychosocial interventions) for AUD, and (3) Treatment modalities and settings. Our review revealed significant gaps in effective interventions, with a scarcity of screening in general hospitals, an overemphasis on withdrawal treatment in psychiatric inpatient settings, and a lack of approved medications for AUD. Additionally, psychosocial interventions are hindered by a shortage of trained professionals, and AUD is not covered by health insurance programs.

Addressing the screening and treatment of AUD in China demands a multifaceted approach to overcome significant challenges. This includes implementing universal screening in clinical settings, enhancing access to psychosocial interventions, expediting the approval and promotion of medications that have been approved elsewhere, and diversifying care settings to meet varying patient needs. Essential steps include expanding insurance coverage and providing effective treatment options for patients diagnosed with an AUD. Adherence to the comprehensive framework proposed by the World Health Organization is essential for effectively mitigating alcohol-related harm at the population level.