Summary information for most of the survey indicators is presented in the format shown below. Please to the section for more information. ‘Methods’ Patterns of alcohol consumption Background The majority of New Zealanders drink alcohol. Most tend to drink responsibly and in moderation, but some do not. To continue to inform the public health response to alcohol misuse, we need to know how we are currently drinking, the harms we are experiencing, and what we are doing to reduce those harms. Key findings Seventy-nine percent of adults aged 15+ years had consumed alcohol in the past 12 months. Ninety-six percent of past-year drinkers (drinkers) typically drank alcohol in their home or in another’s home. One-quarter of adults who have ever alcohol describe themselves as a ‘social drinker’. One third of drinkers drank alcohol regularly, at least three to four times a week. Half of drinkers had drunk to intoxication at least once in the past 12 months. Eight percent reported drinking to intoxication at least weekly. One in six drinkers who drove in the past year had driven while feeling under the influence of alcohol. One-quarter of drinkers had used a drug substance while drinking alcohol in the past year. Tobacco and cannabis accounted for the majority of concurrent use. Drinkers experienced a range of harms as a result of their own drinking. Harm to physical health was the harm most commonly reported. Violent were the most commonly reported harm resulting from someone else’s drinking. Seventy percent of drinkers made a point of eating always or most of the time when they drank alcohol.
Summary information for most of the survey indicators is presented in the format shown below. Please to the ‘Methods’ section for more information. Patterns of alcohol consumption Background The majority of New Zealanders drink alcohol. Most tend to drink responsibly and in moderation, but some do not. To continue to inform the public health response to alcohol misuse, we need to know how we are currently drinking, the harms we are experiencing, and what we are doing to reduce those harms. Key findings Seventy-nine percent of adults aged 15+ years had consumed alcohol in the past 12 months. Ninety-six percent of past-year drinkers (drinkers) typically drank alcohol in their home or in another’s home. One-quarter of adults who have ever alcohol describe themselves as a ‘social drinker’. One third of drinkers drank alcohol regularly, at least three to four times a week. Half of drinkers had drunk to intoxication at least once in the past 12 months. Eight percent reported drinking to intoxication at least weekly. One in six drinkers who drove in the past year had driven while feeling under the influence of alcohol. One-quarter of drinkers had used a drug substance while drinking alcohol in the past year. Tobacco and cannabis accounted for the majority of concurrent use. Drinkers experienced a range of harms as a result of their own drinking. Harm to physical health was the harm most commonly reported. Violent were the most commonly reported harm resulting from someone else’s drinking. Seventy percent of drinkers made a point of eating always or most of the time when they drank alcohol.
alcohol-use-2012-13-new-zealand-health-survey-feb15-v2.docx