Driven by need, shaped by access: Heterogeneity in patient profiles and patterns of service utilization in patients with alcohol use disorders.

Background: Patients with alcohol-use disorders (AUDs) are highly heterogenous and account for an increasing proportion of general medical hospital visits. However, many patients with AUDs do not present with severe medical or psychiatric needs requiring immediate attention. There may be a mismatch between some patients' needs and the available services, potentially driving re-admissions and re-encounters.