Alcohol Addiction.
In 2022, 1,742 Australians died from alcohol-induced problems.
It is well known among our culture that Aussies like to drink. In fact, people born in Australia are more than twice as likely as those born overseas to exceed the National guideline for alcohol consumption (33.0% compared with 16.0%) (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2023).
What do we know?
From 2022-23, 1 in 3 people (31% or 6.6 million people) aged 14 and over consumed alcohol at risky levels. Males continue to be more likely than females to drink at risky levels (39% of males aged 14 and over and 23% of females aged 14 and over).
Individuals aged 14 or over living in remote and very remote areas (40%) and outer regional areas (39%) are about 1.4 times more likely as those living in major cities (29%) to consume alcohol at risky levels.
So, what are the national guidelines for alcohol consumption and why do we have them?
Based on the current evidence, the National Health and Medical Research Council's Australian Alcohol Guidelines state:
“To reduce the risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury, healthy men and women should drink no more than 10 standard drinks* a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any day. By following these guidelines, you have less than a 1 in 100 chance of dying from an alcohol-related condition across your lifetime.”
*Know your drinks- find out more about what constitutes a ‘standard drink’ here.
If you, or someone you know is struggling with alcohol use, please talk to your doctor, someone you trust or contact the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline 1800 250 015 for assistance. It’s never too late to get control back.
Drug Addiction.
In 2022, ABS preliminary data on cause of death show there were 1,693 drug-induced deaths; 64% were male (1,082 deaths) and 36% were female (611 deaths).
Data also revealed that opioids continue to be the most common drug class present in drug-induced deaths over the past decade (3.8 per 100,000 population in 2021), while benzodiazepines were the most common single drug type present in drug-induced deaths (2.9 per 100,000 population). Call for concern is the significant increase in psychostimulant related deaths over the past decade with 163 deaths in 2012 compared to that of 431 deaths in 2021.
Drugs can be classified into seven general categories:
(1) Stimulants such as: amphetamines, betel nut, caffeine, cocaine, ice, khat, synthetic cathinones and nicotine.
Stimulants can cause euphoria, increased confidence, rapid heartbeat, reduced appetite, sexual arousal, dry mouth, mood swings, anxiety and dehydration.
(2) Depressants such as: alcohol, benzodiazepines, GHB and Kava. Depressants can cause euphoria, nausea, confidence, vomiting, dependence, mood swings, unconsciousness, coma and even death.
(3) Cannabinoids such as: synthetic cannabis, medicinal cannabis, cannabis, butane hash oil and cannabidiol. Cannabinoids can cause anxiety, dry mouth, paranoia, decreased motivation, excitedness, memory loss, bloodshot eyes, relaxation and calmness.
(4) Psychedelics such as: ayahuasca, LSD, NBOMe, psilocybin, DNT, 2C-B and salvia. Psychedelics can cause euphoria, panic, paranoia, increased body temperature, loss of coordination, hallucinations, distorted perceptions, disorganised thoughts and anxiety.
(5) Opioids such as: buprenorphine, codeine, fentanyl, heroin, methadone, naltrexone, opium and oxycodone. Opioids can cause euphoria, relaxation and sense of wellbeing, pain relief, impaired concentration, sleepiness, reduced sex drive, sweating, constipation and heart and lung problems.
(6) Dissociatives such as: nitrous oxide, ketamine and methoxetamine (MXE). Dissociatives can cause a sense of safety, 'floaty' feelings, hallucinations, euphoria, panic, bladder damage, disconnectedness, numbness and the 'in a hole' feeling.
(7) Empathogens such as: PMA/PMMA, mephedrone, MDMA and ethylone. Empathogens can cause anxiety, sweatiness, dehydration, mood swings, depression, sexual arousal, sense of belonging, understanding and connectedness.
Click here to find out more information about a specific drug and its affects
If you, or someone you know is struggling with drug use, please talk to your doctor, someone you trust or contact the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline 1800 250 015 for assistance. It’s never too late to get control back.
DHP can asses individuals for substance use problems and associated disorders.
DHP accepts self-referrals, GP referrals, DVA, EAP and Mental Health Care Plans under Medicare.
DHP psychologists are experienced in the provision of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (including motivational interviewing & contingency management); the preferred evidenced based and out-patient treatment modality (level 1) as per the Australian Psychological Society's treatment guidelines.
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