First Nations Australians are not often prescribed a drug that can prevent alcohol relapse. 

New data reveals a significant gap in the prescription of medications aimed at preventing alcohol relapse among First Nations Australians struggling with alcohol dependency. 

A recent study conducted over 12 months, involving 22 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and 52,678 patients, found that only 3.4 per cent of individuals deemed ‘likely dependent’ on alcohol received prescriptions for relapse prevention medicines.

The research highlights the underutilisation of these medications in the general Australian population, with even lower prescription rates among First Nations Australians. 

The authors of the study point out several potential factors contributing to this issue, such as the under-detection of dependence, general practitioners failing to offer eligible patients a prescription, or patients themselves declining the treatment.

Alcohol dependence is a chronic condition affecting millions of people worldwide. While safe and effective medicines to reduce relapse exist, their use remains limited. 

The study aimed to shed light on the prescription rates of these medicines specifically within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, and to identify associated factors.

Out of the 52,678 patients who attended the 22 services during the study period, prescriptions for relapse prevention medicines were issued to only 118 individuals (0.2 per cent). 

Among the patients classified as ‘likely dependent’ based on an AUDIT-C score of 9 or higher, a mere 3.4 per cent received prescriptions for these medicines. 

Intriguingly, over 60 per cent of those who received a prescription did not have an AUDIT-C score.

The researchers say the findings show the need for increased prescription of relapse prevention medicines when alcohol dependence is detected. 

Identifying barriers to prescription and developing appropriate solutions is crucial to addressing this issue effectively. 

The full study is accessible here.