South Coast men and women are bigger boozers than those in the rest of NSW, leaving a worrying trail of accidents and injuries in their wake, the region's health service says.New health statistics show Wollongong and Shoalhaven men in particular are punching above their weight when it comes to dangerous and risky drinking.There is anecdotal evidence that binge drinkers are ending their night in hospital more drunk, and at an earlier hour, than in the past.
POLL: Do you regularly drink more than two standard drinks a day? EDITORIAL: It's time to put the brakes on binge drinkersWollongong Hospital staff are bracing for an increase in the number of drink-related incidents as the silly season draws closer and end-of-year parties abound.More than 44 per cent of South Coast men and almost 30 per cent of the region's women are classified as at-risk drinkers, downing more than four drinks on a regular basis and increasing the chances of long-term health issues.Figures are slightly higher than the 27 per cent NSW average recorded for women, but well above the 37 per cent average for men.South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area Health released the data yesterday in an attempt to shock party-goers out of bingeing behaviour over the Christmas/New Year break, a traditional peak period for visits to area emergency departments.Wollongong Hospital director of emergency Dr Tom Carrigan has witnessed the annual spike in emergencies resulting from alcohol-related domestic violence, assaults, car accidents - even the occasional impaling. "What was traditionally thought of as the consequence of alcohol - the car accident - is just the tip of the iceberg," he said."People in the past used to drink beer, which takes a while to drink. Now they're drinking a lot more of the alcopops and shots, and inadvertently getting drunk too quickly. "When I started practising emergency medicine 20 years ago the drunks used to turn up after midnight. Now they're turning up before midnight."What also alarms me is the increasing number of young people drinking to excessive levels in a very short period of time."It uses up a lot of our resources."Dr Carrigan estimates the emergency department sees between five and 10 drink-related emergencies on an average Friday night - "or more if there's been a big fight down in town". He points to the city's growing population of university students and nightclubs, as well as the region's working-class roots, as contributors to the above-average levels of binge drinking.According to the health service's drug and alcohol operations manager David Reid, the rate may be associated with socio-economic factors, but "drinking problems tend to cross the spectrum of society".Mr Reid urged the take-up of the region's Summer Bus, or other public transport, to reduce the risk of drink-related road accidents.Other tips were to have a non-alcoholic drink between alcoholic ones, avoid top-ups to keep track of drinks and include activities at events where alcohol is served rather than sitting and drinking. "I would like to remind Illawarra residents attending Christmas or New Year's Eve parties to celebrate safely, moderate your alcohol consumption and if you are drinking, don't drive," he said.To make a healthy lifestyle change contact the NSW Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service on 1300 806 258.
