Cancer Survivors' Initiation of Alcohol Use Disorder Treatments

Strategic Insights -

Research has shown that cancer survivors who struggle with unhealthy alcohol use may be at a higher risk of experiencing adverse effects. A recent study, published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, aimed to assess patterns, timing, and predictors of alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment among cancer survivors. The study analyzed data from 6,682,292 cancer survivors in the United States between 2011 and 2021 and found that less than 15% of those diagnosed with AUD initiated recommended treatments within a year. The median time to initiate treatment was 28 days, and age, use of antineoplastic agents, mental disorders, and comorbidity severity were found to be potential determinants of treatment initiation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed data from 6,682,292 cancer survivors in the United States between 2011 and 2021.
  • Less than 15% of cancer survivors diagnosed with AUD initiated recommended treatments within a year.
  • The median time to initiate treatment was 28 days.
  • Age, use of antineoplastic agents, mental disorders, and comorbidity severity were found to be potential determinants of treatment initiation.
  • Only 14.7% of diagnosed AUD individuals initiated FDA-approved medications, psychosocial therapy, or both within the first year.
  • The study concluded that interventions are warranted to enhance treatment initiation among cancer survivors with AUD.

Statistics:

  • 6,682,292 cancer survivors were included in the study.
  • 44,081 individuals were newly diagnosed with AUD.
  • Only 14.7% of diagnosed AUD individuals initiated FDA-approved medications, psychosocial therapy, or both within the first year.
  • The median time to initiate FDA-approved medications or psychosocial therapy was 28 days.
  • 6.3% of cancer survivors initiated non-FDA-approved MAUDs.
  • 10.4% of cancer survivors initiated investigational MAUDs.

Sources:

  • Trends, timing, and predictors of alcohol use disorder treatment among US adult cancer survivors. Journal of Internal Medicine, 2025.
  • NewsRx. University of Texas Austin Reports Findings in Cancer (Trends, timing, and predictors of alcohol use disorder treatment among US adult cancer survivors). Cancer Weekly. November 4, 2025; p 612.