Abuse in childhood tied to rising alcohol use in young people

Around 40% of young people across Australia aged 16 to 24 have experienced multiple types of childhood maltreatment.

And, new research from the Australian Catholic University shows these experiences are linked to higher rates of problematic alcohol use, with young people who experience multiple forms of maltreatment having a 55% higher risk compared to those who don’t.

The Wire’s Tia Bailey spoke with PhD candidate and leading researcher, Dhatsayini Rattambige, on why understanding the broader context of a young person’s life, are essential when developing effective support programs.

Image: Image from Shutterstock

Produced By: Tia Bailey

Featured In Story: Dhatsayini Rattambige – PhD candidate and leading researcher

First aired on The Wire, Friday 24 October 2025