Subgroups of Adults Who Drink Alcohol at Low‐Risk Levels: Diverse Drinking Patterns and Demography
Abstract
Introduction
A significant minority of Australians consume alcohol within the 2009 national guidelines. Despite encouragement of low‐risk alcohol use as opposed to consumption patterns associated with greater harm, little is known about the alcohol use patterns of this group. This paper identifies subgroups of low‐risk alcohol users and their distinguishable characteristics.
Methods
Data were sourced from the 2016 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, specifically 8492 adults (18+) who consumed 1–730 Australian standard units of alcohol (ASD; 10 g ethanol) in the past year, and never 5+ ASD on a single occasion. Cluster analysis enabled identification of subgroups from alcohol use variables. Alcohol use patterns, socio‐demographic characteristics, alcohol use context and alcohol‐related perceptions of subgroups were examined.
Results
Three subgroups were identified. Special occasion alcohol users (64.6%) consumed low to moderate amounts very infrequently. Regular moderates (19.6%) and Regular sippers (15.8%) consumed 5–6 days a week on average, with the average number of ASD per day 1.2 and 0.5, respectively. Special occasion alcohol users tended to be younger than members of more regular alcohol use subgroups. Perceptions of regular alcohol use also differed between Special occasion alcohol users and members of the other subgroups.
Discussion
Alcohol consumption patterns among low‐risk alcohol users are not homogeneous. Younger alcohol users who consume at low‐risk levels are more likely to report infrequent consumption than moderate regular consumption. A better understanding of low‐risk alcohol users may help challenge the normativity of heavier alcohol use norms and help target campaigns as new information emerges on health risks associated with low‐level alcohol use.