Alcohol dependence in a community sample of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians : Harms, getting help and awareness of local treatments

Journal article

Weatherall, Teagan J., Conigrave, James H., Conigrave, Katherine M., Perry, Jimmy, Wilson, Scott, Room, Robin, Chikritzhs, Tanya and Kylie Lee, K. S.. (2021). Alcohol dependence in a community sample of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians : Harms, getting help and awareness of local treatments. Addiction Science and Clinical Practice. 16(1), p. Article 65. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-021-00274-2
AuthorsWeatherall, Teagan J., Conigrave, James H., Conigrave, Katherine M., Perry, Jimmy, Wilson, Scott, Room, Robin, Chikritzhs, Tanya and Kylie Lee, K. S.
Abstract

Background
Few studies have examined links between current alcohol dependence and specific harms among Indigenous Australians. We investigated these associations as well as help seeking for drinking, awareness of local treatments and recommendations to help family or friends cut down or stop drinking in two Indigenous communities.

Methods
A representative sample of Indigenous Australians was surveyed in one urban and one remote community in South Australia. Data were collected via the Grog Survey App. Participants were dependent if they reported two or more symptoms of alcohol dependence (ICD-11). Pearson chi-square tests were used to describe relationships between employment by gender, and dependence by awareness of medicines and local treatment options. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to predict the odds of dependent drinkers experiencing harms and getting help for drinking, controlling for age, gender, schooling and income.

Results
A total of 775 Indigenous Australians took part in the study. After controlling for confounders, dependent drinkers were nearly eight times more likely to report a harm and nearly three times more likely to get help for their drinking—compared with non-dependent drinkers. Participants recommended accessing local support from an Aboriginal alcohol and other drugs worker, or a detoxification/ rehabilitation service.

Discussion and conclusions
More support and funding is needed for Indigenous Australians to ensure local treatment options for dependent drinkers are readily available, appropriate and accessible. Involvement of local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander health professionals in delivery of care can help ensure that it is appropriate to an individual’s culture and context.

KeywordsAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; Indigenous; alcohol dependence; harms; treatment
Year2021
JournalAddiction Science and Clinical Practice
Journal citation16 (1), p. Article 65
PublisherBioMed Central
ISSN1940-0632
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-021-00274-2
PubMed ID34715909
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85118282028
PubMed Central IDPMC8555222
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
Page range1-11
FunderNational Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE)
Drug and Alcohol Program
Curtin University
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online29 Oct 2021
Publication process dates
Accepted21 Oct 2021
Deposited04 Jul 2023
Grant ID1117198
1117582
1087192
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