title: Awareness and treatment of alcohol dependence in Japan: results from internet-based surveys in persons, family, physicians and society.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To understand current awareness of, and views on, treatment of alcohol dependence in Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  (a) Nationwide internet-based survey of 520 individuals, consisting of 52 diagnosed alcohol-dependent (AD) persons, 154 potentially alcohol-dependent (ADP) persons, 104 family members and 106 friends/colleagues of AD persons, and 104 general individuals, derived from a consumer panel where the response rate was 64.3%. We enquired into awareness about the treatment of alcohol dependence and patient pathways through the healthcare network. (b) Nationwide internet-based survey of physicians (response rate 10.1% (2395/23,695) to ask 200 physicians about their management of alcohol use disorders).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We deduced that 10% of alcohol-dependent Japanese persons had ever been diagnosed with alcohol dependence, with only 3% ever treated. Regarding putative treatment goals, 20-25% of the AD and ADP persons would prefer to attempt to abstain, while 60-75% preferred 'reduced drinking.' A half of the responding physicians considered abstinence as the primary treatment goal in alcohol dependence, while 76% considered reduced drinking as an acceptable goal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AD and ADP persons in Japan have low 'disease awareness' defined as 'understanding of signs, symptoms and consequences of alcohol use disorders,' which is in line with the overseas situation. The Japanese drinking culture and stigma toward alcohol dependence may contribute to such low disease awareness and current challenging treatment environment. While abstinence remains the preferred treatment goal among physicians, reduced drinking seems to be an acceptable alternative treatment goal to many persons and physicians in Japan.
authors.affiliation: Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Lundbeck Japan K.K., 5-1-4 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan yrta@lundbeck.com.
authors.forename: Yurie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Taguchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu-city, Mie 514-8507, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takei
authors.affiliation: Customer Insights and Business Analysis, Lundbeck Japan K.K., 5-1-4 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan.
authors.forename: Ryoko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sasai
authors.affiliation: Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Lundbeck Japan K.K., 5-1-4 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murteira
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology