In recent years, public debate in Chile has increasingly highlighted a perceived decline in alcohol consumption. Official surveys and cultural shifts — including the growing popularity of alcohol-free beverages, mocktails and alternative social habits — suggest that fewer people are drinking, particularly among younger generations who show greater awareness of physical and mental health.
Data from the 2024 National Drug Survey conducted by SENDA indicate that only 34.6% of adults in Chile reported alcohol consumption in the previous month, the lowest level recorded since comparable measurements began. However, clinical experience and medical evidence suggest that this reduction does not necessarily correspond to a decrease in alcohol addiction or alcohol-related harm.
A Stable Burden of Alcohol Use Disorder
Health authorities in Chile continue to identify alcohol dependence as a major public health concern. According to estimates from the Chilean Ministry of Health, approximately 2% of the adult population lives with an alcohol use disorder — a proportion that has remained largely unchanged despite declining overall consumption rates.
Medical specialists emphasise that the key issue is not solely how many people drink, but how alcohol is consumed. A persistent pattern observed in clinical practice is episodic heavy drinking, commonly referred to as binge drinking. This behaviour involves consuming large quantities of alcohol over short periods with the intention of reaching intoxication.
Many individuals affected by this pattern do not drink daily and may not identify themselves as having an alcohol problem. Nevertheless, they frequently experience loss of control, memory blackouts, aggressive behaviour, accidents and serious family or social conflicts.
Hidden Harm and Clinical Evidence
This form of alcohol addiction is often less visible than chronic daily consumption, yet it carries significant health and social consequences. From a medical perspective, alcohol dependence is approached as a chronic condition requiring structured evaluation, clinical monitoring and psychological support.
A study published in the scientific journal Salud Mental, analysing more than 5,200 patients treated between 2022 and 2024 in Chile, demonstrated that outcomes improve substantially when alcohol addiction is managed as a medical disorder rather than solely a behavioural issue. The findings showed that only 2.89% of patients treated with subcutaneous disulfiram implants experienced relapse within the first six months of treatment.
While pellet-based anti-alcohol therapy is not presented as a standalone solution, clinicians describe it as an effective medical tool when integrated into a comprehensive and personalised treatment strategy.
Beyond Cultural Change
The reduction in average alcohol consumption in Chile represents a positive trend, but experts caution that it is insufficient on its own. Alcohol-related accidents, violence, hospital admissions and the persistent demand for treatment services indicate that the underlying problem remains unresolved.
Public health specialists argue that the central challenge for Chile lies in moving beyond the normalisation of heavy episodic drinking, expanding access to evidence-based medical treatments and recognising addiction as a health condition that requires timely, compassionate and scientifically supported interventions.
A Regional Reference in Treatment
Within this context, Clínica Pellet Chile has emerged as a regional reference in Latin America for the medical treatment of alcohol dependence and problematic drinking. Its approach combines pharmacological technology, specialised clinical assessment and continuous professional support, reinforcing the role of structured medical care in addressing alcohol addiction.