OBJECTIVES: To describe characteristics, treatment patterns and resource utilization in Japanese patients with AUD. METHODS: Observational, prospective study including patients aged ≥20 years with clinical diagnosis of current AUD (DSM-IV criteria), who were under treatment plan or planned to initiate it during the following 4 weeks. Patients with any physical and/or serious or unstable psychiatric disorder were excluded. Clinical data, resource use and quality of life (QoL) were collected at baseline, 2 weeks and 3 months. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient treatment was most commonly used to reach alcohol abstinence. A significant number of healthcare resources were used during the study period and patients with high/very high DRL had worse QoL.