Characteristics of clients currently accessing a national online alcohol and drug counselling service.

OBJECTIVE: Multiple barriers contribute to low rates of help-seeking for problematic alcohol and other drug (AOD) use in Australia, and highlight the importance of flexible delivery models. This study explored the characteristics of clients accessing a national AOD online counselling service (Counselling Online) over time and across jurisdictions.

METHOD: 2003 clients completed a brief demographics questionnaire before commencing their Counselling Online session. Demographic (e.g. gender, primary drug of concern) and service provision (timing of session, length of session) characteristics were explored to build a profile of individuals accessing online support for AOD concerns.

RESULTS: Service provision and client characteristics remained relatively stable over time; alcohol remained the most common drug of concern, but methamphetamines overtook cannabis as the second most common drug of concern. Consistency in characteristics was also observed across states and territories, except for clients in the Northern Territory, where amphetamines were the most common primary drug of concern, and counselling sessions were significantly longer.

DISCUSSION: Counselling Online continues to be a wide-reaching, easily accessible service for those concerned about their or others substance use. The characteristics of clients who access the service also suggest that it is responsive to contemporary needs and concerns.