Report on Alcohol Use Disorder and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Case Study Analysis: Individual Experience with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

This report examines the case of a 38-year-old individual, Amanda, whose experience with high-functioning alcoholism highlights critical public health issues. The subject initially used alcohol to manage stress and depression, a dependency which escalated over a period of three years. This progression led to severe physical dependence, characterized by the need for alcohol consumption upon waking and the inability to cease use without experiencing significant withdrawal symptoms, including sickness, weakness, anger, and exacerbated depression. The disorder profoundly impacted her interpersonal relationships, notably with her son. Her recovery journey, which commenced in September 2023 following a serious car accident, now informs her advocacy work on social media, where she raises awareness about AUD.

Indicators of High-Functioning Alcoholism

The case study provides insights into behavioral indicators of what is described as “closeted” or high-functioning alcoholism. The stated intention of sharing these indicators is to foster understanding and perspective for those with loved ones exhibiting similar behaviors, rather than to facilitate judgment. The subject identifies three primary signs:

1. Deception and Inconsistent Narratives: The individual may frequently lie, with stories that are either nonsensical or overly detailed to the point of seeming rehearsed.
2. Unexplained Absences: The individual may disappear for periods without providing a reason, indicating time spent engaging in substance use.
3. Persistent Preoccupation: The individual may be physically present but mentally and emotionally unavailable, described as “the lights are on, but nobody’s home.”

Statistical Context and Public Health Implications

The individual’s experience is contextualized by broader public health data. A 2023 survey from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism provides a national snapshot of alcohol consumption, revealing significant challenges to public health and sustainable development.

• Over 224.3 million Americans over the age of 12 reported lifetime alcohol use.
• Consumption rates were noted to be higher among teenage females (ages 12-17) than their male counterparts.
• Over 134.7 million people reported binge-drinking in the month prior to the survey, including approximately 1 million underage individuals.

Alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Addressing the challenges of Alcohol Use Disorder is integral to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals. The issues highlighted in this case study directly relate to the following goals:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• This case directly underscores the importance of Target 3.5: “Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.”
• The severe mental and physical health consequences of AUD, as detailed in the case, demonstrate the urgent need for robust, accessible, and effective prevention and treatment systems.
• The subject’s eventual recovery affirms that sobriety is an achievable outcome, contributing to the overall goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The statistical finding that teenage females report higher rates of alcohol consumption than males points to a gender-specific vulnerability.
• Achieving SDG 5 involves addressing such health disparities through targeted, gender-responsive prevention programs and support services that empower women and girls and safeguard their health and well-being.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The report notes that AUD interfered with and damaged the subject’s personal relationships, particularly familial bonds.
• The erosion of family units and social cohesion due to substance abuse undermines the foundation of peaceful and inclusive societies (Target 16.1). Addressing AUD is a component of building resilient communities and strong societal institutions.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article’s core focus is on health, specifically addressing the challenges of substance abuse and mental health. It narrates Amanda’s personal struggle with alcoholism, which she used to “cope with stress and depression.” The entire story revolves around the detrimental health impacts of alcohol addiction, the process of recovery, and the promotion of a healthy, sober lifestyle, which are central tenets of SDG 3.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.

   This target is directly addressed. The article is a detailed account of the “harmful use of alcohol” and its consequences. Amanda’s “sober journey” represents the “treatment” aspect of this target. Furthermore, her work on TikTok to “spreads awareness about the catastrophic consequences that alcohol can have” is a clear example of an activity aimed at the “prevention” of substance abuse.

2. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

   The article connects to this target by highlighting alcoholism as a disease that needs treatment to prevent destructive outcomes. Amanda’s use of alcohol to “cope with stress and depression” links substance abuse directly to the need to “promote mental health and well-being.” Her statement that “The disease of alcoholism has one goal, and it is to destroy you” underscores the risk of premature mortality associated with this non-communicable disease.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for Target 3.5 (Harmful use of alcohol):

  The article explicitly provides statistical data from a 2023 survey by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, which can serve as direct indicators for measuring the scope of alcohol consumption and misuse. These include:

  • The number of people who consume alcohol: “over 224.3 million Americans over the age of 12 reported drinking alcohol at some point in their lifetime.”
  • The prevalence of heavy episodic drinking: “Over 134.7 million people reported binge-drinking the month prior to the survey.”
  • The rate of underage drinking: “about 1 million of them were again underage.”
• Indicators for Target 3.4 (Mental health and well-being):

  While the article does not provide quantitative statistics on mental health, it offers qualitative indicators. Amanda’s personal story of using alcohol to “cope with stress and depression” implies a co-occurrence of substance abuse and mental health disorders. Her recovery and advocacy (“Recovery and sobriety are possible for all of us”) serve as a qualitative measure of progress in treatment and the promotion of well-being for individuals struggling with these issues.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: newsweek.com