Treatment
This section contains information on the provision of medical/psychological treatment for alcohol use. It covers how many Australians seek professional treatment for alcohol-related problems, who is most likely to do so, and changes in these patterns over time.
The Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services National Minimum Dataset 2019-20 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2021) is the source of data used in this section. It is the only Australian data source which provides a synthesis of state and territory data on publicly funded alcohol-related treatment.
What proportion of alcohol and drug treatment episodes in Australia are alcohol-related?
In 2021-22, alcohol was the principal drug of concern in 42% of all alcohol and other drug treatment episodes in Australia. Treatment was sought more often for alcohol than for any other drug.
Principal Drug of Concern: The main substance that leads an individual to seek treatment from an alcohol and drug treatment agency (as stated by the individual).
Treatment Episode: A period of contact between a client and a treatment provider. Only ‘closed’ treatment episodes are included in the data used here. An episode is closed if there is a change in the principal drug of concern, main treatment, or service delivery setting; if the treatment ends; or if the patient is imprisoned or dies.
How has the number and proportion of alcohol-related treatment episodes in Australia changed over time?
Alcohol was the principal drug of concern in 41% of treatment episodes in 2012-13. Since that time, it declined to a low of 32% in 2016-2017, and then increased again to 43% in 2021-22. The number of treatment episodes in which alcohol was the principal drug of concern has generally trended up during this period, from 63,755 to 92,417.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services in Australia 2022-23.
Principal Drug of Concern: The main substance that leads an individual to seek treatment from an alcohol and drug treatment agency (as stated by the individual).
Treatment Episode: A period of contact between a client and a treatment provider. Only ‘closed’ treatment episodes are included in the data used here. An episode is closed if there is a change in the principal drug of concern, main treatment, or service delivery setting; if the treatment ends; or if the patient is imprisoned or dies.
Are men or women in Australia more likely to receive treatment for alcohol use?
Australian men are more likely to receive treatment for alcohol use than Australian women. In 2022-23, men accounted for 60% of all alcohol-related treatment episodes and women accounted for 37%. Three percent of clients did not identify as male or female, or did not disclose their sex.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services in Australia 2022-23.
Treatment Episode: A period of contact between a client and a treatment provider. Only ‘closed’ treatment episodes are included in the data used here. An episode is closed if there is a change in the principal drug of concern, main treatment, or service delivery setting; if the treatment ends; or if the patient is imprisoned or dies.
Are younger or older Australians more likely to receive treatment for alcohol use?
Australians aged 40-49 and 30-39 are the age groups most likely to receive treatment for alcohol use, accounting for 26% and 25% of all alcohol-related treatment episodes, respectively. Young (10-19 years) Australians are least likely to receive treatment for alcohol use.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services in Australia 2022-23.
Treatment Episode: A period of contact between a client and a treatment provider. Only ‘closed’ treatment episodes are included in the data used here. An episode is closed if there is a change in the principal drug of concern, main treatment, or service delivery setting; if the treatment ends; or if the patient is imprisoned or dies.