THE IMPORTANCE OF AMOUNT AND LOCATION OF DRINKING FOR THE EXPERIENCE OF ALCOHOL-RELATED PROBLEMS

People's self report of a variety of alcohol-related problems was coll ected as part of a national survey carried out in New Zealand in 1988. These problems included self perception of adverse effects of drinkin g on a number of life areas such as health, friendships and financial position; items covering tangible consequences of alcohol use and item s suggestive of alcohol dependence. The experience of these problems w as predicted from a number of socio-demographic variables and responde nt's reports of their typical drinking behaviour. Of the socio-demogra phic variables only age was found to relate strongly to experience of problems. The overall frequency of drinking relatively large amounts a nd the typical quantity drunk in certain licensed premises (hotels, ta verns and clubs) and the typical quantity drunk in others' homes predi cted the experience of problems. These findings are similar to researc h from other countries using different methodologies and support the l ikely effectiveness of prevention strategies which reduce the access o f young people to alcohol and which aim to influence the amounts consu med in drinking sessions on licensed premises.