Trauma Under the Influence: A Cross-Sectional Registry Audit of Drug and Alcohol-Related Major Trauma in…

Cross-sectionalEmergency medicine Australasia : EMA· Aug 2026

Trauma Under the Influence: A Cross-Sectional Registry Audit of Drug and Alcohol-Related Major Trauma in North Queensland.

Michael Ryan, Breeanna Spring, Benjamin J Crowley … Andrew Amos

Emergency Trauma CareCross-sectional

Alcohol or drug-positive major trauma patients had far higher odds of assault-related injury.

Trauma Under the Influence: A Cross-Sectional Registry Audit of Drug and Alcohol-Related Major Trauma in North Queensland.

Michael Ryan … Andrew Amos

Emergency medicine Australasia · Aug 2026

Background

Alcohol and drug use is an established factor contributing to traumatic injury globally, yet regional and remote prevalence and impact are poorly characterised.

Purpose

This study examines associations between alcohol and drug use and clinical outcomes among major trauma patients in North Queensland.

Methods

Were classified by alcohol and drug use based on toxicology results and electronic medical record.

Results

assault-related injury was far more likely with alcohol or drug use

OR 6.90 (95% CI 3.10 to 15.30)

null 1

3.10

15.30

CI excludes the null - significant

More results

Of 319 eligible patients, 110 (34.4%) patients were identified within the alcohol and drug cohort.

Alcohol was most frequently detected (82.7%), followed by cannabis (20.0%) and amphetamines (12.7%), with 18.2% demonstrating polysubstance use.

No statistical significance was found between groups for ICU admission rate, ICU LOS or hospital LOS.

More results

Discharge and mortality outcomes did not differ between groups.

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Conclusion · 1 of 3

This study highlights the impact of alcohol and drug use in regional major trauma patients.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

Standardised testing, targeted prevention and tailored clinical pathways may improve outcomes and reduce the burden of alcohol and drug-related trauma.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

Inconsistent screening practices mean the true prevalence remains uncertain, warranting further research to determine the impact and guide interventions.

Trauma Under the Influence: A Cross-Sectional Registry Audit of Drug and Alcohol-Related Major Trauma in North Queensland.

Trauma Under the Influence: A Cross-Sectional Registry Audit of Drug and Alcohol-Related Major Trauma in North Queensland.

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