Alcohol consumption and dependence is linked to the extent that people experience need satisfaction while drinking alcohol in two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

Abstract

Background Unhealthy alcohol use is a key concern for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (‘Indigenous Australian’) communities. Due to systematic disadvantage and inter-generational trauma, Indigenous Australians may be less likely to have satisfied basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness). When people are need-thwarted, they may engage in compensatory behaviours to feel better in the short-term. We explore the relationship between perceived basic psychological needs satisfaction and alcohol consumption use among Indigenous Australians. Better understanding the functions that alcohol may play for some Indigenous Australian drinkers may aid communities, clinicians, and policy makers in improving programs for reducing drinking-related harms. Methods We performed a cross-sectional survey of Indigenous Australians (aged 16 years or older) living in two South Australian communities. Participants were eligible if they had consumed any alcohol in the past 12 months. Spearman correlations and linear regressions were used to determine if feeling more autonomous, competent, and related to others (need satisfied) while drinking, was linked to alcohol consumption and dependence. Results Controlling for participant demographics, reporting feeling need satisfied while drinking was linked to drinking more alcohol per day, reporting more frequent symptoms of alcohol dependence, spending more money on alcohol, and scoring higher on the AUDIT-C. Conclusions Unhealthy drinking may partly stem from attempts to satisfy basic psychological needs. Programs which support Indigenous Australians to meet basic psychological needs could reduce attempts to meet psychological needs through alcohol consumption.

Indigenous Australian drinking risk: Comparing risk categorisations based on recall of recent drinking occasions to AUDIT‐C screening in a representative sample

“…It is often unclear who is at risk as some people do not drink out in public—those who feel disconnected from others, or who otherwise have thwarted basic psychological needs might engage in at‐risk drinking to feel better [ 37 ]. Our data suggest that AUDIT‐C and the Finnish method would both be useful tools that communities could use to detect at‐risk drinkers such that they could be supported.…”

Deeper understandings of patterns of drinking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: Informing policy and practice

“…We found that people who experience need satisfaction while drinking – who feel autonomous, connected to others and competent – are more likely to drink at risky levels, and become dependent. 24 This finding suggests that creating safer ways to meet core psychological needs might be helpful in addressing risky drinking.…”

Satisfaction and frustration of basic psychological needs and the risk of relapse in alcohol dependence

“…Examples of compensatory behaviour in the form of releasing self-control can include alcohol abuse, binge-eating or selfharm. Research among Aboriginal communities indicates that problematic alcohol use is partly rooted in an attempt to meet basic psychological needs [5]. Other studies have clearly shown associations of both frustration and lack of need satisfaction with involvement in alcohol use.…”

“…Przykładem zachowań kompensacyjnych w formie zwalniania samokontroli może być nadużywanie alkoholu, napadowe objadanie się czy samookaleczanie. Badania prowadzone wśród społeczności Aborygenów wskazują, że problemowe używanie alkoholu częściowo ma źródła w próbie zaspokojenia podstawowych potrzeb psychologicznych [5]. Inne badania wykazały wyraźnie związki zarówno frustracji, jak i braku zaspokojenia potrzeb z zaangażowaniem w używanie alkoholu.…”

“…As regards the associations of satisfaction and frustration of basic psychological needs with indicators of relapse risk, the following was found. The subjective belief in the ability to maintain sustained abstinence (4) correlated positively with the subjective belief in the ability to change drinking pattern (5), the sense of self-efficacy to maintain abstinence (7) and with the satisfaction of all three needs analysed (autonomy, competence and relatedness). In turn, there was a negative association with alcohol craving (6) and relatedness frustration (12).…”