25/05/2026
What drives risky drinking and drug use?
Mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression and trauma can increase the risk that people use alcohol or other drugs as a form of self‑medication. Socioeconomic factors like unemployment, financial stress and reduced access to education and services also add to vulnerability.
Another factor that is often overlooked is impulsivity.
Research in psychology and neuroscience shows that difficulties with inhibitory control — the gap between the urge to drink/use and the ability to pause — are consistently linked with higher risk of substance use and later substance‑related problems. This is not about personal weakness; it reflects patterns in the brain and nervous system that can develop early and then become reinforced over time.
The good news is that these patterns can be worked with. Evidence‑informed approaches that target impulsivity and self‑control skills can reduce risky behaviours and support longer‑term change.
Why many people don’t get help
Even when people want to cut back or stop, getting support can be hard.
A recent Australian report highlights common barriers, including:
Lack of available services
Cost
Difficulties organising access or fitting help around work, family and other commitments
Online options, self‑directed programs and brief interventions can help fill part of this gap for some people, especially when they are private, flexible and tailored to underlying patterns like impulsivity.
About the Stop Binge Drinking course
For people noticing that impulsivity is driving their drinking, Impulsivity.com.au offers an evidence‑informed online program called Stop Binge Drinking.
It has been:
Developed by Dr Yuliya Richard, an Australian clinical psychologist with over 20 years’ experience in impulsivity and addiction‑related presentations.
Designed to be completed online and in private, at your own pace, without waiting lists or referrals.
Structured to help you understand and work with the impulsive patterns that sit behind binge drinking, rather than focusing only on counting drinks.
The cost is less than a typical individual therapy session, which can make it more accessible for some people. It is not a crisis service and does not replace personalised medical or psychological care where that is needed.
A starting point if you’re concerned
If you’re:
Drinking more than you planned,
Finding it hard to stop once you start, or
Worried about someone you care about,
it can help to start by getting clearer on what’s happening.
You can take a free, confidential Binge Drinking Self‑Assessment at impulsivity.com.au to better understand whether impulsive patterns are contributing to your drinking.
This is intended as general information and an educational starting point, not a substitute for personalised professional advice.