Alcohol Consumption In Australia And Binge Drinking

Alcohol Consumption In Australia

Australian culture places a high value on alcohol, which is consumed in a variety of social settings.  Generally Australia has low immediate risk alcohol consumption levels.  But some individuals may consume alcohol at levels that raise both their lifetime risk of developing health issues.  And their lifetime risk of suffering an alcohol-related harm. Australia’s population of adults 18 and over consumed alcohol at a rate of 78.8% in 2017–18.  Additionally, 8.5% had used alcohol 12 months prior, while 11.6% had never done so.  Alcohol use in the past year was higher among males (84.5%) than among women (73.3%). Many people drink excessively and adopt a lifestyle that involves significantly more than the prescribed 2 standard units per day or a maximum of 4 units per occasion.

Am I Drinking Too Much?

In Australia, drinking alcohol has become so commonplace that it might be challenging to recognise when you’ve had too much. Some people struggle to control the number of beverages they consume at any given time or spend an entire day without drinking.  Such a low-level reliance can progressively worsen over time, eventually leading to a serious alcohol issue.

Signs that you could have a drinking issue include

• You are drinking more than is recommended in the Australian Guidelines.
• Others are worried about how much you drink.
• You need to drink more to feel the same effects.
• Craving alcohol.
• Alcohol is affecting your physical or mental health.
• You don’t feel in control of your drinking – you can’t cut down or stop even if you want to.
• Your drinking is interfering with your relationships or job.
• You experience physical symptoms such as shaking, sweating, anxiety or vomiting when you don’t have a drink.

Tips for Cutting Down

• Set yourself a drinks limit and stick to it.
• Count your drinks – remember, a drink in a bar or restaurant might contain more than one standard drink.
• Drink water before you start drinking alcohol to quench your thirst.
• Drink slowly.
• Eat before and while you’re drinking.
• Finish your drink before you start another – try not to top up drinks as you might lose track of how many you’ve had.
• Opt for a non-alcoholic drink in between alcoholic drinks.
• Be active while you are drinking – play pool or dance rather than sit.
• Quit Smoking with Quit Smoking Hypnosis Australia as it goes hand in hand with drinking.

Controlled Drinking

In Australia, daily alcohol consumption is a more prevalent form of alcohol abuse. Many of the clients who enrol in my Gaining Control drinking programme do so because they already regularly use alcohol.  And are worried about the impact this could have on their health, as well as their social and professional lives. They feel as though they don’t have control over their drinking, which could be brought on by emotional problems, stress, or just bad habits. Be certain that my “stop or gain control” drinking programme will help you get back on track if you binge drink, feel like you’re drinking more than you’d like. Or that your drinking is worrying you and you want to quit alcohol. If you want more information on how clinical therapeutic hypnotherapy can improve many elements of your life.  Or if you are suffering from harmful or negative effects from your drinking, or if you are currently in one of these situations, please contact us.

What Are Some Hypnosis Techniques That Can Help Me Stop Binge Drinking?

1. Direct Suggestion

Direct suggestion is the backbone of many hypnotherapy sessions and is particularly effective in treating binge drinking. It involves the hypnotherapist giving clear, positive suggestions to the subconscious mind during a trance state. These suggestions are designed to alter the individual’s attitudes and behaviors towards alcohol. How to do it:

• The therapist leads the client into a deeply relaxed state.
• Once in this state, the therapist delivers direct suggestions like, “You will feel a natural aversion to drinking excessively” or “You feel satisfied with just one drink.”
• The effectiveness of this technique depends on the repetition of sessions, reinforcing the suggestions until they replace the old habits.

2. Aversion Therapy

Aversion therapy under hypnosis works by associating negative outcomes with the act of binge drinking. This method is designed to create a subconscious aversion to alcohol. How to do it:

• In a hypnotic state, the therapist describes vivid, unpleasant scenarios that might occur as a result of binge drinking, such as feeling sick, experiencing hangovers, or facing social or legal consequences.
• These negative associations help the patient develop a distaste for excessive drinking, steering their behavior toward moderation or abstinence.

3. Regression Therapy

Regression therapy targets the root causes of binge drinking. By guiding clients back to past experiences that may influence their current behaviors, therapists can help them understand and resolve deep-seated emotional issues. How to do it:

• The client is regressed to earlier stages of their life to uncover memories and emotions linked to alcohol use.
• Therapists help clients process these memories and develop new, healthier coping mechanisms, aiming to reduce the reliance on alcohol as an emotional crutch.

4. Self-Hypnosis Training

Teaching clients self-hypnosis empowers them to apply therapeutic techniques on their own, reinforcing the benefits of hypnotherapy between sessions. How to do it:

• Clients learn how to induce a hypnotic state independently through relaxation and breathing exercises.
• They are taught to deliver self-directed suggestions that support their goals to reduce or quit drinking.
• This technique enhances the individual’s sense of control over their drinking habits and encourages ongoing commitment to change.

5. Cognitive-Behavioral Hypnotherapy

Combining cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with hypnosis, this approach addresses both the underlying psychological patterns and the behaviors associated with binge drinking. How to do it:

• In a hypnotic state, clients are more receptive to identifying distorted thinking and behaviors related to alcohol use.
• Therapists guide clients in restructuring these thoughts and adopting healthier behavior patterns, enhancing the impact through the focused attention of hypnosis.

6. Mindfulness-Based Hypnotherapy

This technique incorporates elements of mindfulness practice within the hypnotic state, helping clients develop greater awareness of their thoughts and feelings without judgement. How to do it:

• Clients are guided to observe their cravings and thoughts about alcohol in a detached, non-reactive way.
• This awareness helps reduce the impulsivity and emotional distress that can lead to binge drinking, promoting a more mindful, controlled approach to alcohol consumption.