Drinking in rural Australia: challenges, culture and seeking help

Research shows that people are more likely to drink at harmful levels and more frequently in regional and remote areas. According to the 2022-2023 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, risky alcohol consumption increases the further you get from a city, with statistics at their highest in remote and very remote areas.

High alcohol consumption can be linked to Australian culture, as pointed out in reports by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. But there are also other factors that are unique to rural and remote areas, that contribute to higher drinking levels.

While there is a need for more availability of services in rural and remote areas for the safe reduction of alcohol, understanding and giving compassion to the potential causes is important.

Unique challenges in rural and remote areas

Cultural and social attitudes towards heavy and frequent drinking can play a role. It could be that it is simply more normalised and accepted in certain areas. Growing up in an environment of a heavy drinking culture perpetuates the problem into the next generation. Young people in their twenties have been shown to be 9% more likely to drink at risky levels than those of the same age in cities.

There are also other contributing factors, such as higher unemployment and lower education levels in some rural and remote areas. For certain groups, like fly-in fly-out workers, other factors come into play. Like being separated from their families and usual support networks, long working hours and variable living conditions, which can all contribute to a strong drinking culture.

Historically, risky drinking behaviour can be common among rural farmers, which could be attributed to the stresses of climate challenges, financial problems and the subsequent increasing levels of depression and anxiety. Additionally, for some, long distances between properties and towns, and a limited variety of social activities to participate in can cause social isolation, which may also perpetuate heavy drinking culture.

Unfortunately, there is a lack of alcohol treatment services and availability of local GP services, which creates a barrier for people in rural and remote areas to seek help. There can also be a stigma around getting help for those who want it in small communities. The long travel times due to the distances to access treatment centres make it sometimes impossible to get the treatment that is needed.

There is a need for extended services to support people in rural and remote areas. There is however a new program, Clean Slate Clinic, which offers a telehealth service for those in rural and remote areas who want to reduce their alcohol consumption from home, safely. The service is currently available to residents of Western New South Wales, Western Queensland and Central and Eastern Sydney, and the program is hoping to expand to more areas.

GP services are also crucial to rural and remote areas for supporting the reduction of alcohol. For people wanting to reduce their alcohol intake, talking to a GP first is recommended.

Your doctor can give medical advice suited to your health, help you prepare for any withdrawal symptoms, create a withdrawal plan and potentially link you up with other services. If you are a heavy or regular drinker, it can be dangerous to reduce or stop drinking alcohol on your own. Done safely, reducing or quitting alcohol can offer a range of benefits to your health and life.