Leaving the booze behind: are Aussies going dryer?

Those typical Aussie stereotypes are changing.

World-wide, Australians have always been known for their drinking abilities, but according to some new data, it appears that excessive drinking has become a thing of the past.

A new report, Australian Drinking Habits: 2007 vs 2017, commissioned by DrinkWise, shows that Australians are choosing healthier lifestyles when it comes to drinking than they were in 2007.

For those of you unfamiliar with DrinkWise, it is an independent, not-for-profit organisation, whose primary purpose is to help bring about a safer, healthier drinking culture in Australia.

And, if this new report is anything to go by, it looks like DrinkWise’s message is getting through.

The new report follows up a comprehensive research study, undertaken in 2007, which looked at Australia’s drinking culture, and identified that the number of Aussies drinking excessively (5 or more standard drinks in a 24 hour period) has dropped from 24% in 2007 to 16%.

In fact, it found that today, the majority of drinkers (63 percent) usually consume no more than two standard drinks at a time.

And, if that wasn’t enough, it also found that today, only 37% of Aussies have a drink on a weekly basis, and a very small number, just six per cent drink every day. A whopping 20% completely abstain from drinking, up from 11% in 2007!!

Announcing the data from its study, DrinkWise said the results show that for the most part, Australians have a positive relationship with alcohol.

“The majority of us drink moderately, and enjoy having a drink to relax and enjoy a meal with family and friends.

“Our research shows that Australians are drinking less, and the rates of underage drinking is decreasing.  These trends mirror recent government statistics, and suggest that our relationship with alcohol is fundamentally changing to one that is more mature and responsible,” said DrinkWise.

We think this is great news for us as a nation.

As we all know that excessive drinking can lead to a number of health problems, ranging from cancer, to depression and liver damage, and even injuries from violence or vehicle incidents.

Remind yourself about how excessive drinking can impact your health here.

By not drinking as much as we used to, Aussies are showing a greater awareness of these issues, as well as a renewed commitment to their overall health and wellbeing on a physical and emotional level.

Through making these better choices, the social pressures around drinking seem to be changing for the better. What do you think?

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