Australia: Social Pressures and Alcohol Consumption

Almost 20% of Australians exceed two alcoholic drinks on average per day. However, the will to cut down or quit drinking can lead to social stigmatisation. A new study published in Drug and Alcohol Review reports that, in many social situations, drinking is considered normal behaviour and that failure to meet this expectation is viewed as “deviant”. People who want to cut back on alcohol, therefore, are prone to feelings of discomfort, as well as isolation. The author of the study claims that such a conclusion suggests a need for health campaigns to address not only health-related factors of reducing alcohol consumption, but also the social consequences.

Click here to read the full article in Drug and Alcohol Review.