Alcohol- and drug-use disorders in Australia: implications of the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

Teesson, M., Hall, W. D., Lynskey, M. and Degenhardt, L. (2000) Alcohol- and drug-use disorders in Australia: implications of the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 34 2: 206-213.


Author Teesson, M.
Hall, W. D.
Lynskey, M.
Degenhardt, L.
Title Alcohol- and drug-use disorders in Australia: implications of the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing
Journal name Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
Publication date 2000
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1080/j.1440-1614.2000.00715.x
Volume number 34
Issue number 2
ISSN 0004-8674; 1440-1614
Start page 206
End page 213
Total pages 7
Place of publication Abingdon, England
Publisher Informa Healthcare
Language eng
Subject 170101 Biological Psychology (Neuropsychology, Psychopharmacology, Physiological Psychology)
Abstract Objective: This study reports the prevalence and correlates of ICD-10 alcohol- and drug-use disorders in the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHWB) and discusses their implications for treatment. Method: The NSMHWB was a nationally representative household survey of 10 641 Australian adults that assessed participants for symptoms of the most prevalent ICD-10 and DSM-IV mental disorders, including alcohol- and drug-use disorders. Results: In the past 12 months 6.5% of Australian adults met criteria for an ICD-10 alcohol-use disorder and 2.2% had another ICD-10 drug-use disorder. Men were at higher risk than women of developing alcohol- and drug-use disorders and the prevalence of both disorders decreased with increasing age. There were high rates of comorbidity between alcohol- and other drug-use disorders and mental disorders and low rates of treatment seeking. Conclusions: Alcohol-use disorders are a major mental health and public health issue in Australia. Drug-use disorders are less common than alcohol-use disorders, but still affect a substantial minority of Australian adults. Treatment seeking among persons with alcohol- and other drug-use disorders is low. A range of public health strategies (including improved specialist treatment services) are needed to reduce the prevalence of these disorders.
Keyword Psychiatry
Alcohol-use Disorders
Drug-use Disorders
Epidemiology
Icd-10
International Diagnostic Interview
Dependence
Trials
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Provisional Code
Institutional Status Unknown

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article
Collection: School of Population Health Publications
 
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