What proportion of alcohol and drug treatment episodes in Australia are alcohol-related?
In 2020-21, alcohol was the principal drug of concern in 37% of all alcohol and other drug treatment episodes in Australia. Treatment was sought more often for alcohol than for any other drug.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services in Australia 2020-2021.
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.