Research conducted by the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) has found that, at peak times, one in eight presentations to emergency departments (EDs) is alcohol related.
In the largest study of its kind ever undertaken, eight emergency departments across Australia and New Zealand were monitored over one week in December 2014.
The study found that one in twelve or 8.3% of all presentations 24/7 were alcohol related.
"That equates to more than half a million alcohol-related patients attending EDs every year across Australia and New Zealand," said Associate Professor Diana-Egerton Warburton, Chair of ACEM's Public Health Committee and lead researcher. "It confirms that alcohol is having a huge impact on our emergency departments."
Over 9,600 patients were screened as part of the study, which also found that alcohol-affected patients were more likely to require urgent resuscitation and arrive by ambulance and with police.
"One drunk person can disrupt an entire ED," said Associate Professor Egerton-Warburton. "They are often violent and aggressive, make staff feel unsafe and impact negatively on the care of other patients."
"The sheer volume of alcohol-affected patients means they disrupt EDs more than patients affected by ICE."
ACEM is calling on Australian and New Zealand governments to introduce firmer measures to limit the availability of alcohol.
"The measures included in the NSW 'Lockout' laws - particularly early closure - have demonstrated beyond doubt that when you reduce availability, you reduce harm," Associate Professor Egerton-Warburton said.
"Other jurisdictions should follow NSW and now Queensland in introducing early closing times and reducing the availability of alcohol. Policy makers have the power to reduce the tide of human tragedy from alcohol harm."