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For people with ABI, treating medical staff recommend abstinence from the use of alcohol for up to two years from time of injury. The reasons commonly cited for this include:
Each drug a person uses affects them in some way. The interactions of different drugs can also have further adverse affects on health and a person's ability to function and can reduce or interfere with the function of prescribed medications. For people with an ABI who may also have changes in their physical, cognitive, social and emotional abilities as a result of an ABI, drug use often exacerbates or further compromises their abilities and also increases their risk of further injury and the development of other complications such as epilepsy or psychosis.
Alcohol and drug use and abuse is a significant problem in rehabilitation services for people with ABI. Studies evaluating post-injury alcohol and drug use following a traumatic brain injury have indicated that people who continue to drink exhibit higher rates of psychiatric disorders and more aggressive behaviour, as well as higher arrest rates, lower return to work rates, and higher referral rates to supported employment services (Kolakowsky-Hayner, Gourley III, Kreutzer, Marwitz , Meade and Cifu 2002).
The following list of links to various Queensland based and National websites provides links to Drug and Alcohol facts and information on the various Services available to assist with Drug and Alcohol use and abuse.
Brain Injury Australia is the peak acquired brain injury (ABI) advocacy body representing, through its State and Territory Member Organisations, the needs of people with an acquired brain injury, their families and carers.They have a fact sheet on Alcohol, drugs and Acquired Brain Injury
http://www.bia.net.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44:alcohol-drugs-and-acquired-brain-injury&catid=8:fact-sheets-and-resources-for-aquired-brain-injury&Itemid=16
ATOD: Queensland Health's Alcohol Tobacco and other Drugs website.
http://www.health.qld.gov.au/atod/
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation Queensland is a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) dedicated to reducing the individual and social harms associated with alcohol and drug use and to promoting health enhancing behaviour change. They provide alcohol and other drug programs to individuals, families and the community. http://www.adfq.org/
Australian Drug Treatment and Information Services - Choose "National" or the name of your state to find links to a wide range of services and information.
http://www.adin.com.au/content.asp?Document_ID=38
Australian Drug Treatment and Information Services - Indigenous Communities
http://www.adin.com.au/content.asp?Document_ID=3#treatment
Queensland Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies (QNADA) - Represents the alcohol and other drug non-government sector.
http://www.qnada.org.au/
Alcohol Related Brain Injury Australia services
http://www.arbias.org.au/publications/publications.html
Holyoake in Queensland provides drug and alcohol support services for people affected by another person's drinking or drug problem. Family and friends of those with an alcohol or drug problem (substance dependence/misuse) can learn how to effectively manage the stressful impact on themselves and others involved, including the person drinking/using. This is a unique family focussed approach to treating substance misuse and is conducted in a relaxed and professional setting.
http://www.adfq.org/holyoake/
Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre
http://www.counsellingonline.org.au/en/
Family Drug Support - Support Line
http://fds.org.au/
Australian Drug Foundation: works with communities to reduce drug and alcohol harm. They have community programs, information services, and do advocacy work. Their Mission is: Working together to prevent alcohol and other drug problems in communities.
http://www.adf.org.au/
Drug Info is a service offered by the Australian Drug Foundation that offers information about alcohol and other drugs and the prevention of related harms
http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/
Alcohol and other Drug Council of Australia (ADCA) is the peak, national, non-government organisation representing the interests of the Australian alcohol and other drugs sector, providing a national voice for people working to reduce the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs. ADCA works collaboratively with the government, non-government, business and community sectors to promote evidence-based, socially just, approaches aimed at preventing or reducing the health, economic and social harm caused by alcohol and other drugs to individuals, families, communities and the nation.
http://www.adca.org.au/
The Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation (AER) Foundation works with the community to address alcohol and inhalant misuse for a healthier and safer Australia.
http://www.aerf.com.au/home.aspx
National Drug Sector Information service
http://ndsis.adca.org.au/
National Inhalants Information Service
http://www.inhalantsinfo.org.au/
Alcohol and other Drugs Treatment Services National Directory
http://www.aodservices.net.au/
Register of Australian Drug and Alcohol Research
http://www.radar.org.au/
Contact ABIOS
abios@health.qld.gov.au
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