Fewer young Australians are drinking, and when they do, they are drinking less and less often than previous generations at the same age. This trend is happening all around the world.
Long-term decline
The proportion of young people who drink infrequently is growing in the long term. In 2001, 13.6% of Australians aged 18-24 drank less than once a month, but this has since increased to 20%, or one in five. The proportion of young people who have never consumed a full glass of alcohol has also more than doubled since 2001, from 7.5% to 16.3%.
Modern moderation strategies
An interest in mindful drinking has taken off on social media, with trends such as “zebra striping” and “damp drinking”.
What is ‘zebra striping’?
“Zebra striping” means alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, effectively halving alcohol consumption. This reduces the risk of intoxication as the body has time to process the alcohol. While the term is new, the concept has been around in harm-reduction strategies for some time.
Is it different to ‘damp drinking’?
Damp drinking refers to reducing alcohol without cutting it out altogether. Instead, people who participate in damp drinking typically have a drink on special occasions but don’t feature in everyday life. This is also known as being 99% sober. Both approaches encourage moderation rather than complete abstinence.
Cultural shift
Australian social attitudes have changed significantly in recent years, with increasing acceptance of not drinking alcohol or reducing drinking to once or twice a year.
In part, this is driven by wellness trends and popular social media content. Young people face increasing social and economic pressures, making them more focused on professional and personal growth, and reducing drinking.
Social media
While social media has enabled sharing and accountability around healthy behaviors, it can also be a barrier for some who fear posting about reducing their drinking could be stigmatising or alienating to their peers. Zero-alcohol drinks, like mocktails and beer, offer alternatives and help reduce stigma.
National alcohol guidelines
If you drink within the national alcohol guidelines, the risk of health problems from drinking alcohol, like cancer and heart disease, decreases significantly.
Finding support
If you’re looking to change your relationship with alcohol, consider whether it’s negatively impacting your health, relationships or work, or whether you struggle to enjoy social occasions without drinking.
Free digital support services like Hello Sunday Morning and Smart Recovery offer resources for people looking to change their drinking. These services focus on harm reduction, self-compassion, and achieving realistic goals for lasting change.
Conclusion
The long-term trend of reduced drinking among young people in Australia reflects changing attitudes and cultural values around alcohol. The increasing availability of non-alcoholic alternatives, support services, and resources contribute to a cultural shift that promotes mindful and moderate drinking practices. As with any behaviour, individual experiences and goals can vary widely. Understanding personal motivations, boundaries, and social contexts are key to successful changes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
* Q: Is this a healthy trend for society?
A: Yes, reduced drinking can have positive health impacts for individuals and contribute to a safer, healthier society.
* Q: Why is reducing drinking becoming more accepted?
A: As health and wellness concerns become more mainstream, young people are adopting lifestyles that prioritise well-being over binge drinking and risky behaviours.
* Q: Are the Australian national alcohol guidelines a good guideline?
A: Yes, following these guidelines significantly decreases the risk of health problems related to excessive alcohol consumption.
