A new generation is saying NO to alcohol

In more than 35 years of working in the alcohol and other drug field, I’ve never seen a more dramatic shift in Australia’s drinking patterns than the one we’re currently witnessing. Young people are drinking less than ever before, with many having their first drink later in life or choosing to be alcohol-free. The social capital that once came with binge drinking is no longer a strong pull. Put simply, it’s just not cool to be wasted.

When Hello Sunday Morning was founded 15 years ago, most of those registering with us to change their relationship with alcohol were in their early 20s. Now, the average age is 47. It’s a good news story worth celebrating. But while more young people are turning away from alcohol, another cohort is increasingly at risk.

The number of Australian women dying from alcohol-related health conditions is at its highest rate in a decade. More than 70% of people who come to us are women in their 40s. This is the mid-life “sandwich generation” – caught between caring for children and ageing parents, while juggling a greater share of the domestic load and holding down jobs. Many are turning to alcohol to cope with stress.

The rise in risky drinking is troubling, given women are more likely to experience serious health complications due to alcohol, including liver problems, cardiovascular disease, mental health issues, several types of cancer, and worsening of menopause symptoms.

Many of these outcomes can be prevented with the appropriate support at the earliest stage. This is where GPs play an important role. They often have close relationships with their patients, established over many years, and are trusted to provide advice and referrals that might otherwise feel confronting.

Alcohol problems don’t discriminate, but women are less likely to access traditional treatment and support services, which are often designed in ways more suited to men. The public disclosure nature of groups like Alcoholics Anonymous can be a barrier, because women face greater stigma.

They may view their drinking as a shameful secret, or not serious enough to require support. Mothers might worry that if they ask for help, they’ll struggle to find childcare or even lose custody of their children.

Our digital peer support program, Daybreak, is the largest online alcohol behaviour change community in the world, and it’s free to access. We provide tools like the drink tracker, which makes unhealthy patterns more transparent – helping people understand why and when they drink, and recognise the unconscious associations between alcohol and certain triggers.

Many who join our forums are not looking to quit drinking, but just want to realign alcohol as an occasional choice rather than the dominant force underpinning social connection and confidence.

This type of early intervention can alter the trajectory of someone’s life and transform their relationship with alcohol. It can also ease the burden of chronic disease on the health system, and prevent unnecessary doctor’s visits, hospitalisations and deaths.

Digital health interventions can be accessed by anyone, regardless of where they live or how much they earn, which is particularly beneficial in rural and remote areas where a lack of services magnifies health inequalities.

If you’re seeing patients who may be drinking more than they’d like, or who simply want to take a break, Hello Sunday Morning (hellosundaymorning.org) can be a powerful part of your toolkit.

When someone is struggling with the way they use alcohol, often all they need is a nudge in the right direction from someone they trust, and a welcoming community to remind them they are not alone.