julie rae - alcohol & drug foundation

ALCOHOL AND DRUG FOUNDATION—28-Feb-17

We work to develop healthier attitudes to alcohol and other drugs in the home, community, workplace and in sport.

Julie Rae

National Program Manager Knowledge & Information,

Alcohol & Drug Foundation


SOLDIER ON


patients who expected medication were nearly three times more likely to receive medication

British Medical Journal: Prescribing behaviour in clinical practice: patients' expectations and doctors'

perceptions of patients' expectations—a questionnaire study


Physiological – cellular level, heart medication, antibiotics

Psychotropic – affect the mood centre of the brain

Opioids – OxyContin®, Endone®, CodeineBenzodiazepines – Valium®


900,000 people reported misuse in the previous 12 months, with a significant rise for males

Codeine-related deaths tripled between 2000 and 2009, Oxycodone prescriptions increased by 562% between 2001 and 2011,


564 people died accidently from taking opioids


In 2013 the number of Australians who had misused pharmaceuticals increased to 11.4%


HOW DO YOU SLEEP?

33% of us find it hard to get to or stay asleep.


ARE YOU STRESSED?

1 in 4 of us suffer from anxiety and stress


ARE YOU IN PAIN?

1 in 5 of us suffer from chronic pain


Injuries in 2014:

Back 22%Hand 13%Shoulder 11%Knee 10%

Safework Australia.


Who are misusing:

Complex health issues, multiple medications, poly drug use.

Men in their 30s

Women in their 40s

Potential for misuse:

People with chronic pain

People in rural/remote areas

People who suffer chronic insomnia.


However, anyone is at risk.

Accident Other traumaSurgeryDeveloping a chronic disease


15% take painkillers for a headache at any given time.

One in four Australians who experience stress believe it has a moderate to very strong impact on their physical health (39%) mental health (37%).


Prescription medication can affect: concentration, induce fatigue, cause memory problems clumsiness,

which can cause people to work less effectively and reduce safety in the workplace.


Are our own workplaces mentally healthy?

Absenteeism, reduced productivity and compensation claims cost Australian workplaces approximately $11 billion per year.

The true cost of untreated mental health conditions is much higher when turnover and other impacts are considered.

PWC and Beyond Blue


These seven actions we can do:

1. worksite physical activity programs

2. coaching and mentoring programs

3. mental health first aid and education

4. resilience training

5. CBT based return-to-work programs

6. well-being checks or health screenings

7. encouraging employee involvement

Headsup – Beyond Blue


Provide education and awareness programsUse of EAPEncourage healthy eatingEncourage regular exerciseDiscourage excess overtime


The Alcohol and Drug Foundation advises all workplaces to have a formal alcohol and other drug (AOD) policy which includes the use of over-the-counter pain medications and prescribed pharmaceutical drugs.


We work to develop healthier attitudes to alcohol and other drugs in the home, community, workplace and in sport.

Julie Rae

National Program Manager Knowledge & Information,

Alcohol & Drug Foundation

julie rae - alcohol & drug foundation

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