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ALCOHOL

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Alcohol is the most commonly consumed drug in the world, along with caffeine and tobacco. It is a depressant drug, meaning that it slows down the messages travelling between the brain and the body. Short term effects of alcohol consumption include relaxation, difficulties concentrating, slowed reflexes, increased confidence, feelings of happiness or sadness. Consumption of large amounts of alcohol may result in blurred vision, memory loss, nausea, loss of consciousness, coma, and possibly death. Long-term regular use may result in depression, poor memory and brain damage, cancer and liver complications, tolerance, and dependence. 

Alcohol Use Statistics

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  • All of the EDRS participants reported recent alcohol consumption in 2018. This was, on average, regular (47 of the past 180 days), with four in five drinking weekly or more frequently, and nearly half engaging in very heavy (6 of more standard drinks) weekly or more. One in five were experiencing alcohol related harms to an extent that they may be experiencing alcohol use disorder

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  • In terms of trends over time, while the overall proportion of EDRS participants reporting alcohol consumption has remained unchanged, the median frequency of use appears to have declined over the past 5 years (72-80 days of the past 180 in the 2012-16 surveys; 47 in 2018), and the proportion reporting at least weekly alcohol use remains below 90% of participants (84% in 2017 and 78% in 2018) when compared to higher rates in 2008-2016

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  • Approximately two-thirds of the IDRS participants reported recent alcohol consumption in 2018. This was, on average, infrequent (12 of the past 180 days), with one third of these participants drinking weekly or more frequently, and less than one tenth engaging in very heavy (6 or more standard drinks) weekly or more

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Seeking help?

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  • Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
    24 hour free call on 1800 250 015
     

  • Free Alcohol and Drug Counselling Online
    www.counsellingonline.org.au
     

  • Lifeline
    24 hour free call on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au
     

  • Mental Health Services Helpline 
    1800 332 388 

 For More Information

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Harm Reduction

 

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