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Page 5 of 6 Substance Use Alcohol and substance abuse can play a significant role in the onset, treatment and recovery from mental illness. Strategies for dealing with substance use issues in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population vary across communities partially depending on available resources but there is general acknowledgement of the need for greater assistance in this area.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are less likely to use alcohol, but more likely to do so dangerously compared to the non-Indigenous population. One of the major concerns regarding alcohol use is exposure in pregnancy leading to Foetal Alcohol Syndrome or effects causing major developmental issues for children. Alcohol use has also been implicated in domestic violence and family dysfunction.
Rates of smoking are higher among Aboriginal people, being roughly double the national average. In some areas, you may see people chewing wads of "native tobacco" or pituri. This is a stimulant similar to regular tobacco, with similar health risks. Its use is mostly confined to Central Australia, and is more common among women. Cannabis use is higher among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and appears to be increasing.
Inhalant use can reach endemic proportions in some communities, but is virtually phased out in others. Indigenous youth are most likely to use inhalants but "chroming" is known to varying extent in youth of all backgrounds.
It is important to understand the differences in patterns of use of substances in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, the potential impact in pregnancy and throughout development as well as the underlying factors contributing to substance abuse.
Recommended reading
National Drug Research Institute Indigenous Australian Research Program www.db.ndri.curtin.edu.au. Provides a bibliographic database on Alcohol and other drugs. Some trends which have been noted include: - Indigenous people are statistically less likely to use alcohol, but more likely to abuse it, if used.
- Rates of smoking are higher among Indigenous people, being roughly double the national average.
- Indigenous people are more likely to use inhalants (e.g. petrol, "chroming"). This is more common in remote communities.
- In some areas, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people may use kava.
- In some areas, you may see people chewing wads of "native tobacco" or pituri. This is a stimulant similar to regular tobacco, with similar health risks. Its use is mostly confined to Central Australia, and is more common among women.
- Substance abuse is usually co-morbid with depression, chronic illness or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Sources: (Meadows and Singh, 2001); Curtin Indigenous Research Centre
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Key issues
