Alcohol's harm to others among adults in Australia: Findings from the 2022-2023 national drug and health household survey.

BACKGROUND

Alcohol's harm to others is a significant public health and social concern, yet data on specific harm types across population subgroups in Australia are limited.

METHODS

Data were drawn from the 2022 to 2023 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (N = 21,097 adults). Weighted prevalence estimates were calculated for three types of harm (verbal abuse, physical abuse, being put in fear) across sociodemographic subgroups. Adjusted logistic regression models identified independent predictors of each harm.

RESULTS

In adjusted models, First Nations status and being not partnered were significantly associated with elevated odds of all harms. Women had higher odds of reporting being put in fear (aOR = 1.73). Older age was associated with lower odds of all harms. The Northern Territory had the highest prevalence across all harm types. Risky drinking was associated with elevated odds of verbal and physical abuse but not being put in fear.

CONCLUSIONS

Alcohol's harm to others remains prevalent in Australia, with distinct risk profiles across harm types. These figures likely underestimate true prevalence, as the survey excludes populations at heightened risk such as those who are homeless or incarcerated. Verbal and physical abuse were associated with risky drinking and may be amenable to population-level alcohol policies, while fear-based harms disproportionately affecting women may require different prevention approaches. Further research is needed to examine trends over time and the contexts in which these harms occur.