AA and other helpseeking for alcohol problems: former drinkers in the U.S. general population.

Former drinkers comprise 18.5% of the adult U.S. population. However, no epidemiologic data has been published on the histories of seeking help for alcohol problems from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or professional or informal sources of help. Using a sample of 8,057 former drinkers surveyed in the 1988 National Health Interview Survey, prevalence and characteristics associated with histories of such helpseeking were investigated. About 7% of the former drinkers had gone to AA or sought other types of help. Characteristics associated with such helpseeking were a diagnosis of DSM-IV alcohol dependence or abuse, a sense of compulsion to drink, social pressure to cut down, and highest ever alcohol consumption. The effects of alcohol consumption were stronger among younger respondents than older ones for professional or informal helpseeking.