Risk

What proportion of Australians drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury?

Thirty-two percent of Australians (aged 14 years and over) drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2021). Measuring risky drinking according to the Australian alcohol guidelines.

Increased risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is increased if they drink more than 10 standard drinks a week and more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Reduced risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is reduced if they drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Standard Drink: A drink that contains 10 grams (or 12.5 millilitres) of alcohol.

Are men or women in Australia more likely to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury?

Australian men are more likely than women to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).

Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.

Increased risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is increased if they drink more than 10 standard drinks a week and more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Reduced risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is reduced if they drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Standard Drink: A drink that contains 10 grams (or 12.5 millilitres) of alcohol.

Are younger or older Australians more likely to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury?

Young Australians (aged 14-17 years) are the least likely to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury, while those aged 18-24 years are the most likely to do so.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).

Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.

Increased risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is increased if they drink more than 10 standard drinks a week and more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Reduced risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is reduced if they drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Standard Drink: A drink that contains 10 grams (or 12.5 millilitres) of alcohol.