Drinking culture in Australia

Alcohol is widely used and enjoyed in Australian society. It is served in many social and recreational situations, and its use is often encouraged. While drinking alcohol is often seen as intrinsic to Australian culture, the effects associated with overconsumption don’t just affect the individual, but also the wider national community. In 2012, it was estimated that Australians spent $14.1 billion each year on alcohol.^[1]

Legislation and guidelines

Table regarding high risk alcohol consumption of binge drinking. Source: ABS Criminal Courts Collection

In Australia, 18 is the legal age at which someone may purchase alcohol. Many leading health experts claim young peoples' brain development are still vulnerable to alcohol’s toxicity at the age of 18. The Australian government is constantly confronted on raising the legal drinking age to 21 to protect the health of young people.^[2] Liquor outlets across Western Australia are required to request identification from those who look under 25 years of age when purchasing alcohol. Police cadets, most of whom are around 18 years of age, are often used to research retailers who would sell them alcohol. In 2013, 72 out of 100 cadets were able to purchase alcohol without showing identification in the Perth metropolitan area.^[3] The National Health and Medical Research Council issues guidelines for alcohol use in Australia.

Society and culture

Alcohol is an essential part of Australian culture. Alcohol plays a role in celebrations, a variety of social activities, relaxation, as a generator of tax revenue and as a major source of employment and exports.^[4]

A common cultural staple amongst young people is to drink, specifically, to get drunk. Almost two thirds of 18- to 29-year-olds agreed with this statement, and one in five hospitalizations of people under 25 was alcohol related.^[5] 88% of Australians surveyed in 2010 had consumed alcohol by age 14. Of Australians who do drink often, the majority seem to do so in moderation. 72.6% of those surveyed consume alcohol below levels for long term risk of harm. However, many Australians consume alcohol at harmful levels. There are more than 42 million incidents of binge drinking each year. Each month 20.4% of Australians consume alcohol at high risk levels.^[4] Australians living in remote areas are more likely to drink at high risk levels compared to those living in urban areas.^[6]

The driving forces behind Australia’s drinking culture are derived from social customs, habits, publicized images and normality. These factors can be enhanced by influences related to the social, physical and economic availability of alcohol. This is driven by marketing and promotion, cost, accessibility and age restrictions. There is no single factor attributed to why people drink at these harmful levels, however lack of nutrition, poor exercise, smoking, damaging health behaviors, illicit drug use and excessive drinking all appear to contribute to a complicated structure of social determinants.^[4]

Many Australians feel the need to consume large amounts of alcohol before going to public venues to socialize and continue drinking. This is commonly known as “pre-drinking.” This is largely due to the views many have of the elevated cost of alcohol purchased at venues. The dangerous levels of intoxication being widely accepted in Australia points to a problem with alcohol consumption. Social networking has also been studied as having undergone negative effects when combined with overconsumption of alcohol.^[7]

"Rounds" or "shouting" are a common norm of drinking etiquette.

Etiquette

What mostly attract Australians to drinking is the taste of the beverages as well as general social acceptance. Social norms have been created as a result of communal drinking. When everyone has finished their drink, one member of the group is expected to purchase the next "round" of drinks until all members of the party have paid one turn. “Shouting” refers to paying for someone else’s drink as a good gesture with no expectation of one in return.^[7] This can give people the feeling of being more socially accepted.

Influences

Peer pressure

A lot of pressure can be placed on someone who feels that there is a social expectation to consume alcohol. It’s more often than not referred to as being “un-Australian” to turn down an alcoholic drink. This places a considerable amount of pressure on young people in particular. Learning how to drink is often thought of as an integral part of growing into adulthood.^[8]

Social occasions

In many social situations alcohol is more than likely available. It is expected that alcohol be available at numerous social events including household parties, pubs, clubs, sporting events, during meals, celebrations and even funerals.^[9]

Social status

A lot of people think drinking alcohol gives them a sense of identity that may help them fit in with social networks. Some also believe it heighten confidence to take part in social situations.^[9] Some may oppose the fact that there being pressured into consuming alcohol, but others look to find social networks where consuming alcohol is common as enhancing a sense of belonging and identity formation.^[10]

Family

Children’s first reference for alcohol can be traced to their parents habits. 62% of underage Australians said they got access to their alcohol from friends or others, while 44% said their own parents purchased their alcohol. Nearly one in ten managed to purchase alcohol themselves.^[9]

Marketing

Marketing campaigns have heavily influenced the change in the type of alcohol consumed extensively by young people. Premixed spirits are the focus of many advertisements, rather than beer or wine. The alcohol content in these premixed drinks are of concern as they hold higher alcohol percentages than the same amount of beer. Many young people prefer these drinks because they are often sweet and disguise the amount of alcohol they contain.^[10]

Alcohol abuse

A broad range of negative effects come with excessive alcohol consumption. Some of these include an increase in road and other accidents, crime, public and domestic violence, brain damage, liver disease, and the breakdown of social networks.^[10] Alcohol related police detentions account for approximately 39% of all crimes.^[7] Alcohol consumption relates to one in eight deaths of Australians under the age of 25.^[11] In 2013 five million Australians aged 14 or over (26%) reported being victim to an alcohol related incident.^[12]

See also

• Alcohol in Australia
• Binge Drinking

References