Alcohol experiences and concerns of newly arrived migrant women

Abstract

Migrant women are under-represented as users of alcohol and other drug (AOD) services. This study examined AOD use by newly arrived women, identifying issues of concern to them. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted with 268 migrant women who had arrived in Perth, Western Australia, within the previous 5 years. Almost half were humanitarian entrants. Most women (76%) reported they did not drink alcohol. Of those who did, 10 were drinking at harmful levels and over half reported changes to their drinking patterns since arrival. One fifth of participants (20%) described distressing incidents related to alcohol or drug use by others. Migrant women are concerned by alcoholand drug-related problems, even if they do not drink themselves. Domestic violence and abuse by strangers were concerns that were aggravated by alcohol and drug use. As new migrants often lack strategies to prevent, or deal with alcohol-related misuse, provision of additional information and support is recommended.