On healthcare’s front-line the fight for those affected by drugs is dominated by alcohol, and it is a problem affecting adult age-groups and genders.
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Daniel Eltringham is drug and alcohol care coordinator for Bendigo Health and works with many who appear at the emergency room and inpatient care with alcohol-related issues.
He said younger men were not the only people running into problems with alcohol. Many older Bendigonians were struggling with health problems caused by years of alcohol dependency.
Mr Eltringham’s comments came after Ambulance Victoria and research centre Turning Point presented data showing alcohol-related ambulance call-outs were increasing for all age groups and genders.
Data suggested the amount of call-outs for regional men aged 40-59 and regional women aged 40-47 effectively doubled per 100,000 people.
The study did not break statistics down to local areas.
However Mr Eltringham said alcohol was an issue in Bendigo.
“I’d say that in my role the majority of the work is alcohol-related, in comparison with other drugs of addiction such as ice,” Mr Eltringham said.
While intoxication did contribute to crashes, falls, fights and other injuries, long-term alcohol-dependency created more problems for people fronting at the city’s ER.
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Mr Eltringham said long-term alcohol dependency led to a long-list of health related issues affecting many parts of the body, including the liver, pancreas, gastrointestinal system, brain and heart.
“Where alcohol is a factor in presentation (to the ER), a large proportion are heavily-dependent users,” he said.
“Having said that, everyone has a different set of reactions to alcohol. Some people who have relatively short periods of heavy alcohol use can be affected.
“I have one young guy who has had a heavy alcohol dependency for 4 or 5 years. He is one of a number of drinkers ending up with liver damage or failure.”
The authors of the joint Turning Point study recommended better targeting of drinkers 40-years-of-age and older.
They said that age group was large and growing, meaning health services would need to plan ahead to deal with the challenge.
Mr Eltringham said those struggling with alcohol should consult their GP or call ACSO connect’s support line on 1300 022 760.
Tom O'Callaghan
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
