The proportion of New Zealanders who drank more than recommended limits on at least one occasion in the past year ranged from 40 per cent for those aged 55 to 64 to 80 per cent for those aged 18 to 24.
While for some this may be infrequent, for too many New Zealanders this is their usual pattern of consumption.
It’s not just this binge-style drinking that is of concern. Problems also arise for people drinking regularly. For a healthy adult, even two or three drinks a day may cause health complications. For those with compromised health, even lower levels may be problematic.
Drinking can easily slide from one of life’s pleasures to one of life’s problems. Perhaps it’s a regular routine that has become a bit heavy, or perhaps you find it hard to place a limit on how much you drink in social situations.
When people are offering you drinks, buying in rounds, there’s a competitive edge or an expectation to keep up.
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