Alcohol remains the number one drug of concern in Australia

Alcohol remains the most common drug and of concern for clients seeking treatment from specialty alcohol and other drug services, according to a new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) publicly funded. ..

Alcohol and other drugs Treatment services in Australia Annual report 2019-2020, approximately 139,300 Australians over 10 years of age use alcohol or other drugs.

“Alcohol is the main drug of greatest concern between 2019 and 20 years old, accounting for one-third (34%) of all treatment episodes, followed by amphetamines (28%), cannabis (18%) and heroin . (5%) followed. These four drugs accounted for 85% of all treatment episodes, â€said AIHW spokesperson Dr. Gabriel Phillips.

While alcohol remains the drug of most concern, treatments for amphetamine use are on the rise, with treatment episodes in 2019-2020 around five times higher than 10 years ago.

Between 2015-2016 and 2019-2020, around 469,000 Australians were treated for alcohol or substance use through state-funded treatment services, with some seeking treatment for more than a year. Minimizing the Harms Associated with Alcohol, Drugs and Illegal Medicines Drug use and coping with these risks requires a multi-faceted response in which clients often receive multiple episodes of treatment. About four in ten clients (44%) in 2019-2020 have been treated with alcohol and other drug services since 2015-2016.

Alcohol was the most common drug of concern among the elderly. Three in five clients aged 50 to 59 (58%) and seven in ten clients aged 60 and over (74%) have been treated with alcohol. The majority of clients receiving alcohol and other drug (ODL) treatment services were men (64%), as were clients receiving treatment for alcohol use (65% men).

Alcohol and other drug services service Impact on supply and use for the COVID-19 pandemic Due to this limitation, many AOD services were suspended or operated in new or different ways in 2020.

Since March 2020, the professional treatments offered by AOD services have been impacted by the implementation of social distancing measures, reducing the availability of treatment places. At the same time, many treatment services have adapted their practices by increasing access to online services and to telemedicine appointments.

“Various drug and alcohol treatment services, such as counseling, rehabilitation and information provision. Education Program Support and case management programs are available to help people who use alcohol and drugs. These services can be provided in residential, non-residential, community or home settings, â€says Dr. Phillips.

Provided by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)