Health-conscious Australians might be thinking twice about having that second or third beer, but not everyone is getting the message when it comes to alcohol and risky drinking.
While many drinkers have been guilty of having one too many at times, it turns out older Australians are actually the biggest offenders when it comes to exceeding national health guidelines.
An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report showed people in their 50s (32.3 per cent) and 60s (33.2 per cent) were more likely to drink at levels that exceeded national guidelines, compared to the general population aged 14 and over (30.7 per cent).
The Alcohol, tobacco & other drugs in Australia report also found women in their 50s (28 per cent) and men in their 60s (44 per cent) were among those most likely to do so.
According to national guidelines, men and women should drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than four in one day.
The AIHW report highlighted Australia’s older population faced different circumstances compared to their younger counterparts, including chronic pain, health co-morbidities, and other challenges such as increased social isolation.
Statistics show underage drinking has been on the decline for the past 20 years, but older drinkers are still taking risks when it comes to alcohol. (Unsplash: Jason Jarrach / woman holding yellow solo cup / licence)
Careful drinking amid health concerns
Health authorities warn that drinking more than recommended levels can place people at higher risk of alcohol-related disease and cancers.
An AIHW Australian Burden of Disease Study 2024 shows the 60–84 year age group has a very high burden of disease due to alcohol use.
Sydney woman Cathy, 66, said she was not surprised her generation was among those taking the biggest risks with their health when it came to drinking and assumed it was just as much of a cultural as an age and generational issue.
While admitting to liking a drink herself, Cathy said her weekly total varied according to social events, but that she was also aware of the various health issues excessive drinking could cause.
“I’m much more careful about drinking these days because of my reflux, which is definitely a condition that’s age-related and afflicts lots of 60-somethings I know,” she said.
Cathy also said the advisable limits kept getting further reduced on medical grounds, which possibly caused confusion over what was considered a risky level of drinking.
She was also concerned about the power of the alcohol lobby as well as the tax revenue the government made from alcohol sales, along with the links between drinking, gambling, domestic violence, and poor mental health.
“Plus the power of the alcohol lobby effectively restricts access to other drugs — hallucinogens and marijuana, etc — which would arguably be better for lots of individuals and society as a whole,” she said.
“But unless big pharma can harness them, there’s not the money in … such easy tax revenue streams for governments.”
People in their 50s and 60s are exceeding national health guidelines more than other age groups. (Unsplash: Pamela Buenrostro / man holding a wine glass in his hand / licence)
Health and harm concerns
CEO of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) Ayla Chorley said the reality was that alcohol still caused significant harm across all age groups in Australia.
“Younger people are drinking at harmful levels,” Ms Chorley said.
“The stats also don’t take into account broader harms.
“The industry is pushing the narrative that people are drinking less while targeting people with marketing on digital platforms.”
A recent pilot study by FARE found 14–17 year olds were targeted with one instance of gambling, six alcohol, and 24 junk food ads in one day.
“The alcohol industry targeting them is a real concern for us,” she said, adding that one-sixth of young people had experienced alcohol-related harm from adults around them, and two-thirds of this had taken place within the home.
Health advocates and domestic violence advocates say risky drinking habits increase harms across all age groups. (ABC: Michael Franchi)
FARE has renewed calls for a complete ban on alcohol advertising during sporting events, as well as a two-hour delay between online ordering and delivery in a bid to reduce alcohol-related harm.
Online delivery, which spiked under lockdown, had made alcohol more easily accessible than ever, Ms Chorley said.
“At a bar, there are checks in place for alcohol, but in the home, there are none. The marketing is going unchecked,” she said.
“There are checks in the store, but now your phone is effectively a bottle shop.”
Sensible habits growing
The alcohol industry is quick to point out Australians’ drinking habits have shifted, and younger people are taking fewer risks when it comes to consumption.
The AIHW’s National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023 shows levels of underage drinking have decreased over the past two decades. Those aged 14–17 who had consumed alcohol in the previous year dropped from 7 in 10 people in 2001 (69 per cent) to 3 in 10 (31 per cent) in 2022–2023.
Alcohol Beverages Australia executive director Alistair Coe said his industry supported a culture of moderation and sustainability.
“While 77 per cent of Australians continue to enjoy a drink, government data shows a clear shift toward more responsible drinking habits,” Mr Coe said.
“Over the past two decades, risky drinking and underage drinking have both significantly declined.”
Pointing to AIHW figures, Mr Coe said government statistics showed more teens were choosing not to have alcohol.
He said risky drinking in general had decreased with sales being highly regulated, and disagreed that being able to order alcohol over the phone was making it more accessible.
“The industry operates under world-leading codes of conduct and regulations, covering all aspects of responsible service, advertising, and online sales,” he said.
“By the same logic, every phone is also a supermarket, a library, and a GP clinic. Convenience doesn’t equal harm. Regulations apply, and strict processes are followed.”
Powerful marketing
FARE said it remained concerned about targeted marketing and the overall power of the alcohol lobby.
It also accused the industry of taking advantage of Australians drinking more at home.
A study from the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research at La Trobe University, funded by (FARE), found alcohol companies targeted people who drank the most, selling 36 per cent of products to 5 per cent of people, placing them at greater risk of harm.
Ms Chorley said women had been relentlessly bombarded with marketing from the alcohol industry via online platforms since the COVID lockdowns.
“The industry took full advantage of COVID and targeted these women who were under significant stress,” she said.
“The messaging, especially for women during that time, really gave that message that they deserved [a drink].”
DrinkWise CEO Simon Strahan said he believed the majority of Australians were aware of the health risks when it came to excessive drinking.
Mr Strahan also said that while risky drinking remained a problem among older Australians, many others were sticking to recommended health guidelines.
DrinkWise conducted its own research, which showed 42 per cent of people who were cutting back had either switched to zero or lower-strength alcoholic options.
“While there are pockets of cohorts where they consume at risky levels, we are seeing an overall decline in risky consumption across the population over the past two decades: 32.3 per cent of Australians aged over 18 years said they drank at risky levels in 2022–23, down from 40.2 per cent in 2004,” Mr Strahan said.
“While 40.8 per cent of young people aged 18–24 years reported drinking more than four standard drinks in a single day at least monthly in 2022–23, which is of concern, this has decreased from 56.9 per cent in 2004, indicating a positive trend.
“Similarly, while 23.6 per cent of older people over 70 years in 2022–23 said they consumed more than 10 standard drinks per week, this has declined from 26.9 per cent in 2004.”