Aims: The study examined the impact of alcohol use on lifestyle and wellbeing among adults accessing New Zealand community alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, and practice implications.
Methods: Routinely collected Alcohol and Drug Outcome Measure (ADOM) data for individuals at both treatment start and treatment end was analysed. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses examined the independent impact of changes in days of alcohol use on weekly lifestyle and wellbeing issues. Analyses controlled for sociodemographic variables and other substances used.
Results: In total, 598 people reported alcohol as their main substance of concern. The largest improvements in lifestyle and wellbeing were observed for mental health, social relationships and physical health. Change in days of alcohol use significantly contributed to the prediction of change in lifestyle and wellbeing issues experienced (model R2=20%, adjusted R2=19%, p<.001). Results were similar for amount and total volume.
Conclusions: Reduced alcohol use positively impacts on people's lifestyle and wellbeing. Findings have implications for increasing awareness of the benefits for people's lives, even small reductions in alcohol use. The need to strengthen routine ADOM collection in AOD services is highlighted, as well as the availability of vocational rehabilitation to support people's wellbeing.