Citation

Raggatt M, Wright C, Dietze P, Pennay A, Caluzzi G, Lim M. Alcohol Alcohol. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/alcalc/agz057

PMID

31250879

Abstract

AIMS: Population data suggest that a significant proportion of young drinkers are reducing or ceasing their alcohol use; however, there is a lack of information about the characteristics of young people who do so. Our study aimed to determine characteristics associated with self-reported attempted and successful alcohol reduction and cessation among young people in Victoria, Australia.

METHODS: Data are from a cross-sectional online survey with young people aged 15-29 years living in Victoria, Australia. Participants who reported consuming alcohol in the past 12 months were included in the analysis (N = 1,162).

RESULTS: Alcohol drinking cessation in the past 12 months was reported by 3.8% (n = 44) and reduced alcohol consumption was reported by 32.1% (n = 371) of participants. Characteristics associated with trying to reduce or cease alcohol consumption were older age, being born overseas, drinking at hazardous levels, experiencing alcohol-related harms and interest in health content on social media. Characteristics associated with successful alcohol reduction or cessation were being born overseas and experiencing alcohol-related harm, while being a member of a religious group was negatively associated.

CONCLUSIONS: Recent reduction in alcohol consumption was common among young people in this study. Recent reduction in alcohol consumption was common among young people in this study. A combination of factors appear to be correlated with recent attempts to reduce drinking young people including socio-demographic characteristics, religiosity, drinking practices and experience of harm, and interest in health.

© The Author(s) 2019. Medical Council on Alcohol and Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Australia; alcohol drinking; cessation; young people