title: Surveying the range and magnitude of alcohol's harm to others in Australia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to document the adverse effects of drinkers in Australia on people other than the drinker.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a national survey of Australia, respondents described the harmful effects they experienced from drinkers in their households, family and friendship networks, as well as work-place and community settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomly selected sample of 2,649 adult Australians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Problems experienced because of others' drinking were ascertained via computer-assisted telephone interviews. Respondent and drinker socio-demographic and drinking pattern data were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 70% of respondents were affected by strangers' drinking and experienced nuisance, fear or abuse, and 30% reported that the drinking of someone close to them had negative effects, although only 11% were affected by such a person 'a lot'. Women were more affected by someone they knew in the household or family, while men were more affected by strangers, friends and co-workers. Young adults were consistently the most negatively affected across the majority of types of harm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Substantial proportions of Australians are affected by other people's drinking, including that of their families, friends, co-workers and strangers. These harms range in magnitude from noise and fear to physical abuse, sexual coercion and social isolation.
authors: AER Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia. anne-mariel@turningpoint.org.au
authors: Anne-Marie
authors: AM
authors: Laslett
authors: Robin
authors: R
authors: Room
authors: Jason
authors: J
authors: Ferris
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Wilkinson
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Livingston
authors: Janette
authors: J
authors: Mugavin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005192:Family Health; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012934:Social Isolation; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult