Journal article
Factors Associated With Alcohol Use Among Individuals Commencing Treatment at Community-Based Outpatient Treatment Centres in Australia
Drug and Alcohol Review, Vol.44(7), pp.2066-2079
2025
PMID: 40903894
Abstract
Introduction
Understanding the characteristics of individuals seeking treatment for alcohol use is essential for developing effective interventions. This study aimed to: (i) describe the characteristics of individuals accessing treatment at Australian outpatient alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment centres; and (ii) identify characteristics associated with more harmful alcohol use at treatment commencement.
Methods
Clients from 34 community-based AOD centres completed surveys on demographic, substance use, health-related quality of life and social characteristics. A linear mixed model and two negative binomial models were used to examine factors associated with higher AUDIT scores (indicting more hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption), frequency of drinking days and heavy drinking days in the last 14 days.
Results
Participants (n = 1130) were predominantly male (65%), reported concurrent drug use (62%), self-referred for treatment (57%) and wanted to cease alcohol use completely (42%) or drink moderately (39%). Female gender, unemployment, being a victim or perpetrator of violence, poorer physical and mental health, self-referral and a goal to cease alcohol use were associated with higher AUDIT scores. Those reporting home duties, retirement, disability/carer pension, student or other employment had lower AUDIT scores. Older age, poorer physical and mental health, and treatment in Western Australia and Queensland were associated with more drinking and heavier drinking days. A goal to cease alcohol use was linked to 23% and 17% lower drinking days and heavy drinking days. Self-referral was associated with more heavy drinking days.
Discussion and Conclusion
Individuals seeking treatment for AOD use have diverse needs that should inform tailored and holistic treatment.
Details
- Title
- Factors Associated With Alcohol Use Among Individuals Commencing Treatment at Community-Based Outpatient Treatment Centres in Australia
- Authors
- Jamie Bryant (Corresponding Author) - Hunter Medical Research InstituteAnthony Shakeshaft - The University of QueenslandNicholas Lintzeris - The University of SydneyPaul Haber - The University of SydneyMichael Farrell - UNSW SydneyJoshua Dizon - Hunter Medical Research InstituteMegan Freund - University of Newcastle Australia
- Publication details
- Drug and Alcohol Review, Vol.44(7), pp.2066-2079
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1111/dar.70034
- ISSN
- 1465-3362
- PMID
- 40903894
- Copyright note
- © 2025 The Author(s). Drug and Alcohol Review published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
- Data Availability
- The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Psychology
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991241463402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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