Belgians at high risk of alcohol dependence, survey shows

About 1.6% of Belgians who drink landed in the emergency room last year due to the effects of alcohol abuse, writes De Standaard based on the most recent Global Drug Survey (GDS2016). Belgians have an above-average risk of developing a drinking problem, the survey shows, and yet they are among the least likely to seek help.

The GDS2016 surveyed 97,000 people in more than 50 countries about their alcohol and drug use, making it the world's biggest drug survey. Participants completed the AUDIT test, a 10-item screening tool developed by the World Health Organization to assess alcohol consumption. A score of 8 or more in men (7 in women) indicates a strong likelihood of harmful alcohol consumption, while a score of 20 or more is suggestive of alcohol dependence.

The GDS2016 reveals that 21.7% of Belgian men score above 16 or 20, compared with 13.5% of men worldwide. Belgian women (12.5%) also score worse than average (10.4%). At the same time, Belgian drinkers were shown to be less likely to try to drink less in the coming year, or to seek help to stop.

The survey puts Belgium in seventh place globally. "A disturbing picture," says Tina Van Havere of Hogeschool Gent, which conducted the research in Belgium. "We know Belgians like to drink, but this study shows that we are problem drinkers."