Up to 470,000 Aussies may be missing out on much-needed substance use disorder treatment

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-02-12 03:00

Australia; NSW

Photo by Vinicius "amnx" Amano on Unsplash

Between 207,966 and 469,767 people in Australia are missing out on treatment for alcohol and other drug use disorders, according to an Australian study. The team used results from various studies on drug use in Australia to calculate how many people likely have a substance use disorder, and subtracted the amount they estimated would not need or seek treatment. Looking at Australian treatment databases, they say about 198,731 Aussies are currently receiving treatment, which they estimate only makes up 30-48% of the people who need it. The researchers say current alcohol and drug treatment efforts should be doubled to address this unmet need.

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Journal/
conference: Drug & Alcohol Review

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: The University of New South Wales

Funder: Alison Ritter receives a National Health and Medical Research Council Investigator Fellowship, GNT2016695. This work has been informed by projects updating the Drug and Alcohol Services Planning Model. The authors thank the Queensland Department of Health and the Victorian Department of Health for their funding of these projects, as well as the many Expert Reference Group members who guided the development of the Drug and Alcohol Services Planning Model.

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