Drinking status of Australians:

[Psyber]

Someone elsewhere prompted me to look this up and post it to another forum. I thought you guys and gals might [or might not] like to see it too. I abbreviated several sources to post a summary here but the full details are available as a PDF at the bottom of the page the link leads to.

Drinking status of Australians:

http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/p ... CF000C8865

The majority of Australians drink alcoholic beverages. However, the regularity with which Australians drink varies significantly. A study by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found that 57% of males and 39% of females over the age of 14 consumed alcohol at least once a week in 2001. An additional 29% of males and 40% of females would also drink but not every week. Therefore, 86% of males and 79% of females over the age of 14 are drinkers.

Each week a large proportion of Australians partake in an alcoholic beverage. The National Health Survey, conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) across a sample of 17,918 private dwellings in Australia, found that 62% of adults had consumed alcohol in the previous week. However, there was a distinct difference between the sexes, with males being significantly more likely to have had a drink. The Survey found that 71% of males had consumed alcohol in the previous week compared to 52% of females.

The prevalence of alcohol must not be overstated, as a number of Australians do not drink at all. The ABS study reported that 12% of males and 22% of females had either never consumed alcohol or had not done so in the previous 12 months. Nevertheless, alcohol remains the Australian drug of choice, with 81.4% of males and 68% of females over the age of 14 approving its regular consumption by an adult.



The following table summarises the alcohol drinking status of Australians over the age of 14 in 2001 (figures are expressed as percentages):

Alcohol drinking status 2001 – percentage of population:
Daily 3%
Weekly 39.5%
Less than Weekly 34.6%

Australian households spent 2.2% of their total expenditure on alcohol, an average of $908 per household.


For risk of harm in the long-term:

MALES
On an average day
Up to 4 per day Low risk
5 to 6 per day Risky
7 or more per day High risk

FEMALES
On an average day
Up to 2 per day Low risk
3 to 4 per day Risky
5 or more per day High risk

Are specific groups of people more likely to have problems?

Alcohol abuse and alcoholism cut across gender, race, and nationality. Nearly 14 million people in the United States--1 in every 13 adults--abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. In general, though, more men than women are alcohol dependent or have alcohol problems. And alcohol problems are highest among young adults ages 18-29 and lowest among adults ages 65 and older. We also know that people who start drinking at an early age--for example, at age 14 or younger--greatly increase the chance that they will develop alcohol problems at some point in their lives. (See also Alcohol Alert No. 55: Alcohol and Minorities: An Update.)

How can you tell if someone has a problem?

Answering the following four questions can help you find out if you or a loved one has a drinking problem:

Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

One "yes" answer suggests a possible alcohol problem. More than one "yes" answer means it is highly likely that a problem exists. If you think that you or someone you know might have an alcohol problem, it is important to see a doctor or other health provider right away. They can help you determine if a drinking problem exists and plan the best course of action.

[smac]

I push the limits at times (last weekend for example), but then go a month without a drink - for example, I have no grog in the house at the moment and no plans to buy any.

The way I figure it, if I can do that I have no problem. If I got 'toey' and had to dart down the bottle-o then I would have a problem. Interesting topic though, but unsure if we can pigeon hole every one.

[smithy]

I've had night shift all week and plan to have 14beers tonight and 14 beers tomorrow night and that will keep me in the low risk category.......woohoo...

[Psyber]

I've had night shift all week and plan to have 14beers tonight and 14 beers tomorrow night and that will keep me in the low risk category.......woohoo...

Not quite - more detailed studies say the low risk group is 4 drinks in any 24 hour period not an average over the week, and the NHMRC yesterday said that the figures above from 2001 should be revised down to 2 in any 24 hours.

[FlyingHigh]

should be revised down to 2 in any 24 hours.

Edit required. Last word should be "minutes"

[Psyber]

should be revised down to 2 in any 24 hours.

Edit required. Last word should be "minutes"

Yes. I occasionally joke about suffering from "Alcohol Deficiency Syndrome" myself.

[FlyingHigh]

Seriously though, I reckon the long-term effects are going to become a big problem over this generation as opposed to our parents' generation.

[CENTURION]

I better go & fill out a will.

[Psyber]

Seriously though, I reckon the long-term effects are going to become a big problem over this generation as opposed to our parents' generation.

Yes the NHMRC figures recently suggest the incidence of higher risk drinking is on the increase with each generation, and it seems to be a prominent factor now in under 25s presenting with mood disorder. That is why I perhaps preach a bit - my work exposes me to its effects on peoples' lives.

I have recently met a guy of 38 who has heart muscle damage from alcohol and has been told he may last 2 years if he doesn't get a heart transplant.

[JK]

Seriously though, I reckon the long-term effects are going to become a big problem over this generation as opposed to our parents' generation.

I don't .. I reckon the amount of illegal "gear" getting a run will have some serious ramifications for future generations though.

[Mr66]

Non drinker.
No risk.

[FlyingHigh]

I don't .. I reckon the amount of illegal "gear" getting a run will have some serious ramifications for future generations though.

Agree with you CP about the other gear, but I still think it will be a problem. Guess I'm trying to compare to say 35-40 years ago - now clubs and pubs stay open a lot later; shots, Jaeger bombs, and lolly-water type of drinks avilable now easier and quicker to drink and appeal to wider range of people; accepted that to have a good time means to get drunk, moreso than just relaxing with a few drinks.

[CENTURION]

Hmmm, not sure...let me have a few more long necks of Pale Ale & I'll let tou know my thoughts on this...bbbrrrrrrpppp.

[Dutchy]

I dont have any inkling to drink during the week and dont for health reasons, but come Friday night...giddy up...that first beer tastes so good when you havent had one for 6 days...

[JK]

Throughout most of my late teens and 20's, I was out drinking pretty close to 6 nights a week, had a blast and wouldn't change any of it ... These days though, I probably give it a decent nudge (and it's a lot less than I used to be able to handle) probably twice a week, the other 5 days are generally non-grogs.

[JK]

I don't .. I reckon the amount of illegal "gear" getting a run will have some serious ramifications for future generations though.

Agree with you CP about the other gear, but I still think it will be a problem. Guess I'm trying to compare to say 35-40 years ago - now clubs and pubs stay open a lot later; shots, Jaeger bombs, and lolly-water type of drinks avilable now easier and quicker to drink and appeal to wider range of people; accepted that to have a good time means to get drunk, moreso than just relaxing with a few drinks.

Yeah fair call mate ... Part of me thinks that as long as alcohol has been around, so too has excessive consumption though

[smithy]

Throughout most of my late teens and 20's, I was out drinking pretty close to 6 nights a week, had a blast and wouldn't change any of it ... These days though, I probably give it a decent nudge (and it's a lot less than I used to be able to handle) probably twice a week, the other 5 days are generally non-grogs.

I'm with you Constance - twice a week...........weekdays and weekends...

[JK]

Throughout most of my late teens and 20's, I was out drinking pretty close to 6 nights a week, had a blast and wouldn't change any of it ... These days though, I probably give it a decent nudge (and it's a lot less than I used to be able to handle) probably twice a week, the other 5 days are generally non-grogs.

I'm with you Constance - twice a week...........weekdays and weekends...

LOL .. If the body could still handle it Im sure Id still be doing it