Children exposed to alcohol-related problems and DSM-5 alcohol use disorder in San Juan, Puerto Rico

ABSTRACT

This article estimates the proportion of children (17 and younger) exposed to an adult with an alcohol problem or alcohol use disorder (AUD) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Data are from a household random sample of 1,510 individuals 18–64 years of age. A total of 20.9% of children in sample households were exposed to an adult with an alcohol problem, and 5.7% were exposed to an adult with DSM-5 AUD. These considerable proportions suggest that alcohol treatment and family support programs should include help for adults in the family, and special support for exposed children in the household.

KEYWORDS:

• Alcohol problems
• AUD
• children
• Puerto Rico

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [Grant Number RO1-AA020542].