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Nearly Half of Alcohol Consumers Express Desire to Cut Back or Stop Drinking


Australians are looking to reduce or eliminate their alcohol intake for various reasons, such as improving their overall health, mental well-being, and quality of sleep.

A recent survey conducted by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) found that 44 percent of Australians are interested in cutting back on alcohol consumption or quitting altogether.

Many individuals are motivated by concerns related to their health, sleep patterns, and the negative effects of alcohol. Seventy-five percent aim to enhance their physical health, 50 percent seek to improve their mental well-being, and 22 percent are focused on getting better sleep. Additionally, 22 percent dislike the way alcohol makes them feel.

“There is no universal approach to reducing alcohol consumption, as everyone’s circumstances are different,” she stated.

Risky Drinking Patterns Among Older Individuals

On the other hand, a recent report from the Alcohol and Drug Foundation sheds light on the concerning impact of alcohol on older Australians.

The report highlighted that older individuals were experiencing alcohol and other drug-related fatalities at a rate nearly twice as high as other age groups.

Risky drinking behaviors were more prevalent among males aged 60 to 69, with 44 percent consuming alcohol at risky levels compared to 23 percent of females in the same age bracket.

Erin Lalor, CEO of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, emphasized that older individuals are often overlooked in efforts to reduce harm related to alcohol and other drug usage.

“Older individuals have a higher frequency of alcohol consumption compared to other age groups, with around a third engaging in risky drinking habits—many of which have persisted over their lifetime,” she stated.

“This research demonstrates the long-term impacts these habits can have, as we witness spikes in hospitalisations and treatment episodes among older people for harmful alcohol use.”

The report indicated that 79 percent of alcohol and drug-related hospital visits were due to alcohol, which was four times higher than other drug-related hospital admissions.

Moreover, the (pdf) revealed that 33 percent of individuals aged 60 to 69 engaged in risky alcohol consumption, slightly surpassing the 32 percent of 20- to 50-year-olds who exhibited risky drinking behaviors.

Among adults aged 70 and above, the rate of risky drinking was the lowest across all adult age groups, standing at 25 percent.

Individuals in their 60s and 70s were found to engage in risky drinking at similar rates in 2022–23 as they did 12 years prior. However, the percentage of individuals aged 50 to 59 engaging in risky drinking decreased slightly from 36 percent in 2010 to 32 percent in 2022–23.

“The main diagnosis for alcohol-related hospitalizations was dependency (182.4 per 100,000 individuals), followed by cardiovascular, digestive, and endocrine diseases (79.5 per 100,000 individuals), and acute intoxication (62.1 per 100,000 individuals),” as per the report.

“Hospitalizations due to harmful alcohol consumption have increased more than fivefold from 2002-03 (8.5 to 46.7 per 100,000 individuals in 2020-21).”

Alcohol-related hospitalizations and fatalities were most prevalent in remote and very remote regions.

“Similarly, the rate of treatment episodes has consistently been highest in remote and very remote regions, doubling over the past decade,” as highlighted in the report.

Decrease in Alcohol-Induced Mortality Rate

On a different note, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released on Oct. 10, 2024, revealed there were 1,667 alcohol-induced deaths in 2023. Of these, 90.2 percent were attributed to chronic alcohol-induced conditions.

The data showed that the standardized alcohol-induced mortality rate decreased from 6.2 per 100,000 individuals in 2022 to 5.6 in 2023, remaining consistent with the rate observed in 2021. However, between 2018 and 2022, the mortality rate had risen from 4.7 to 6.2.

“Alcohol-induced deaths are those directly linked to alcohol consumption, including acute conditions such as alcohol poisoning and chronic conditions like alcoholic liver cirrhosis,” the ABS explained.

“On average, 69 percent of alcohol-induced fatalities are medically certified, primarily resulting from chronic alcohol-induced conditions.”

Nevertheless, Robert Taylor, the policy and engagement manager at the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, emphasized that these deaths could largely be prevented.

“The substantial and widespread harm caused by alcohol, ranging from life-threatening conditions like dependency, cancer, and liver cirrhosis to road accidents and negative impacts on mental health and relationships, cannot be overlooked,” he explained.

Online Resource Center for Changing Alcohol Habits

FARE has introduced a new online hub to assist those interested in altering their alcohol habits or learning more about the effects of alcohol on their health and well-being.

“This new online hub offers individuals a variety of trustworthy tips, tools, and resources to support their journey,” Giorgi stated.

Associate Professor Shalini Arunogiri, a clinical addiction psychiatrist and researcher, added, “The hub serves as an invaluable resource for Australians curious about the impact of alcohol on their body and mind, as well as those contemplating a change.

“For individuals seeking assistance in reducing alcohol consumption or seeking treatment, the hub can be an excellent starting point to connect them with local services.”



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