Alcohol consumption and mental health conditions: Insights from a South Australian population survey to inform policy and practice

• Published in: Australian and New Zealand journal of public health 2022-10, Vol.46 (5), p.668-675
• Main Authors: Guckel, Tara, Miller, Caroline L., Longo, Marie, Cooke, Richard, Bowden, Jacqueline A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: alcohol; Alcohol use; Alcoholic beverages; Alcoholism; Alcohols; Anxiety; Consumption; Costs; Disease; Disorders; Drinking; Drinking behavior; Drinking of alcoholic beverages; Females; Gender differences; Guidelines; Health aspects; Health risk assessment; Health risks; Longitudinal studies; Males; Mental disorders; Mental health; mental health disorder; Population; Population policy; Psychological aspects; Public health; Regression analysis; Regression models; Self-medication; substance use; Surveys; Womens health
• ISSN: 1326-0200; 1753-6405
• DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.13277

Among individuals with a mental health condition co‐occurring alcohol use disorders are common, but less is known about alcohol consumption in excess of recommended drinking guidelines. This study investigated the prevalence of lifetime risky drinking (>2 drinks daily) and single occasion risky drinking (>4 drinks on one occasion) among individuals with mental health conditions of different severities. Data from representative cross‐sectional population surveys among South Australians aged ≥15 years (n=11,761) were utilised. Logistic regression models assessed associations between risky alcohol consumption, presence of a mental health condition and demographic characteristics. Prevalence of lifetime risky drinking was greater among both males and females with a mental health condition (p>0.001). Single occasion risky drinking was more prevalent among males with a severe mental health condition (p=0.01). Adjusted logistic regressions showed that only females with a mental health condition had greater odds of exceeding lifetime risky drinking levels (OR=1.39, CI 1.11 to1.75). There are sex‐specific relationships between risky alcohol consumption and mental health conditions. Risky alcohol consumption, in excess of guidelines, is of concern among those with a mental health condition and requires attention at an individual and population level.