Predictors of quit attempts and successful quit attempts among individuals with alcohol use disorders in a nationally representative sample.

Background: This study sought to identify predictors of attempting to quit and of successfully quitting alcohol abuse or dependence in the general population.

Methods: Data were drawn from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC).

Results: Approximately 10% of individuals with alcohol abuse and 18% of those with dependence attempted to quit over the three year follow-up period. Of those who tried, 38% of individuals with abuse and 30% of those with dependence successfully quit. Among individuals with alcohol abuse or dependence, being single, younger than 40 years old, having low income, a co-occurring psychiatric disorder and greater number of dependence symptoms increased the likelihood of attempting to quit. Among individuals with alcohol abuse, male gender and low educational attainment further increased the odds of quit attempts. However, greater severity of alcohol use disorder, having a co-occurring drug use disorder and greater number of psychiatric disorders decreased the odds of success among individuals with alcohol abuse, while female gender, being married and older than 40 years old increased the odds of success. Among individuals with alcohol dependence, having nicotine dependence, greater number of psychiatric disorders and personality disorders decreased the odds of success.

Conclusions: Predictors of attempts to quit are different and sometimes opposite from those leading to successful quitting probably indicating that some factors that increase motivation may decrease ability to quit. These findings may help in the development of more targeted and effective interventions for alcohol use disorders.