Huge spike in people seeking help for alcohol use

A new report finds more Australians are receiving treatment for alcohol use disorders than they have in a decade.

The peak GP body says alcohol companies needed to be treated the same way as Big Tobacco after a report was released showing the number of people seeking help for alcohol use had jumped.

More Australians are seeking help for alcohol-use disorders than they have in a decade, with the peak GP body saying alcohol companies need to be treated the same way as Big Tobacco.

A report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare adds to existing evidence on a grim side-effect of Covid lockdowns, with a 16.4 per cent increase in people reaching out for help over the two years since the pandemic began. More than half were aged between 30 and 49.

In the 10 years to 2021-22, the number of people seeking treatment increased 37 per cent, from 63,700 to 87,300 alcohol-related treatment episodes.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners alcohol and other drug spokeswoman Hester Wilson said alcohol companies “should not be allowed to advertise or lobby politicians”.

“In Australia, we don’t allow tobacco companies to sponsor sporting events or advertise, and most major political parties, except for the Nationals, no longer accept Big Tobacco donations,” Dr Wilson said. She also called for immediate action to “rein in” alcohol delivery services.

RACGP Alcohol spokesperson Dr Hester Wilson. Picture: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

JOANNA PANAGOPOULOS