In 2013/14, one in five (20%) New Zealanders aged 15 years or more who drank alcohol in the past year reported a potentially hazardous alcohol consumption pattern (Ministry of Health, 2014). However, a smaller minority reported having sought or received help to reduce their level of alcohol use (Ministry of Health 2014). Drinkers may experience a range of harms from drinking, with the most common being harm to physical and mental health, injuries, social harms such as problems with friendships and home life, and problems with employment or income (Ministry of Health 2015).
The Health Promotion Agency (HPA) produces communication campaigns aimed at people who may be experiencing consequences from heavy drinking, and encouraging them to think about making changes. This factsheet looks at the extent to which New Zealand adults are considering changing their alcohol consumption and seeking information and support to help them do so.
Methodology
The responses of adults aged 18-years-and-over (n=3,812) were analysed. Responses were first compared by gender, ethnicity and age group (while controlling for the other demographic factors). Statistically significant differences (p<.05) between subgroups are reported in cases where the differences remained significant after accounting for other factors. Secondly, responses were compared by all demographic factors and by risky drinking (defined as having consumed seven or more drinks on an occasion in the past month2). If differences were no longer significant after risky drinking was included, this is noted in the text.
Key Results
- Four in ten adults who were asked about their recent drinking said they had considered cutting back during the previous year. However, fewer than one in ten had either sought or been given information, advice or help with cutting back.
- People who reported risky drinking behaviour and people who had recently changed their drinking behaviour (either drinking more or drinking less) were more likely to have thought about cutting back on drinking or getting information or advice about doing so. These findings may show that thinking about cutting back led to some people now drinking less than they had a year ago, while drinking more may have led some people to think about cutting back. However due to the timeframe of the questions (in the past 12 months), it is not possible to show causality.
- Younger adults and males were more likely to have considered cutting back. However, these differences, along with some ethnic differences, were confounded by higher rates of risky drinking among those groups.
- Younger adults aged between 18 and 24 years were more likely to have made changes to their drinking behaviour (either drinking more or less) in the previous year, compared with all older adults.