Drink Driving Limit NZ - Alcohol and Me

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<p><em>Honesty call…..If I asked you what the drink driving limit was right now could you confidently tell me? </em></p>
<p><em>You are not alone if you can’t – in fact only 17% of respondents in a NZ survey got it right, so there is clearly a lot of confusion and miss understanding amongst Kiwis when it comes to this serious life and death topic. </em><em>Connecting with others has never been more important as lives get busier, so it’s not about encouraging people to stop drinking or steer away from the pub/ catching up with their mates. </em><em>In this article we want to set the facts</em> <em>straight and help you to make the decisions that are right for you when it comes to alcohol.</em></p>
<p>The research of 800 Kiwis found a general lack of knowledge when it comes to understanding what we’re drinking. While most people had a theory on the number of drinks they thought they could consume and still be safe to drive, only 11% correctly pointed out that there is no set number of drinks that ensure we are all safe to drive. So here is what you need to know to make smarter choices about drinking and getting behind the wheel:</p>


<h4><strong>What is the drink driving limit in NZ?:</strong></h4>
<p>The drink driving limit in New Zealand is also commonly referred to as the <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/quiz/going-out/19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BAC limit</a> and these limits vary, depending on your age:</p>
<ul>
<li>If you are under 20 years of age, the BAC limit is ZERO. That means if you drive after consuming even one drink you can be charged with drink driving</li>
<li>For those over 20 years of age, the BAC Limit is 50mg / 100mls blood (0.05) or 250mcg / litre breath</li>
</ul>
<p><em>Note: Although the breath and blood measures appear different, they are essentially the same. Both measure the same level of alcohol in your system for drink driving purposes.</em></p>


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What is the drink driving limit in New Zealand?

<p>Naturally, the penalties for drink driving vary depending on the severity and the driver’s previous history but as a guide for drivers over 20 years of age:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<h5>If you record under 250mcg / litre breath you will not be penalized</h5>
</li>
<li>
<h5>If you record between 251mcg / litre breath and 400mcg / litre breath you will have your keys taken off you and you will be issued with a ticket/ infringement notice. 50 demerit points will also be loaded against your license</h5>
</li>
<li>
<h5>If you record over 400mcg / litre breath it is a criminal offence and you will be required to appear in court where you can be fined and/or in extreme situation sent to prison</h5>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Even if you’re just over the limit, in the eyes of the law you’re a drink-driver and a criminal – there is no grey area.</p>
<p>So how many drinks is this you ask – well unfortunately there is no simple answer. No doctor, police officer, scientist, lawyer, brewer or anyone else can give you a definitive answer on this as there are a number of factors that can contribute to BAC. The key facts that do exist in this space are as follows:</p>


<h4><strong>The Facts:</strong></h4>
<ul>
<li>The safest and smartest choice you can make is to not drink any alcohol if you are planning to drive. This is the only way to be 100% sure you are fit to drive</li>
<li>The human liver can only process 10gms of pure alcohol per hour, that’s <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/quiz/your-drink/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1 standard drink</a>. Regardless of whether you are big or small, male, or female, middle aged or old, the human liver is the human liver and there is no way to speed this alcohol processing up</li>
<li>Excess alcohol that is waiting to be processed by the liver flows into the bloodstream and does a tiki tour of your body’s vital organs – heart, brain, lungs etc. You can find out more about this <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/whats-going-on-inside" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></li>
<li>The liver needs to be supported by the rest of the body to do its job effectively so there are a variety of factors that impact how you feel the effects of alcohol and whether or not you are safe to get behind a wheel</li>
</ul>


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Drink Driving Limit NZ

<h4><strong>The Guidelines:</strong></h4>
<p>Because we are all different, the best guideline that can be provided in social drinking space is made with data from the Crown research institute &#8211; Environmental Science and Research (ESR).</p>
<p>It is important to note that the guideline is just that – a rule of thumb that should help most adults stay on the right side of the law but it does come with a large amount of small print.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<h5>Most adult men should be able to have three standard drinks over two hours and stay under the limit</h5>
</li>
<li>
<h5>Most women should be able to have two standard drinks over two hours (i.e. 1 standard drink an hour)</h5>
</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The decision as to whether you drive needs to be a decision that you make for yourself and yourself alone. How alcohol affects us can change from day to day, hour to hour so don’t let anyone tell you “you’ll be fine you only had 2 wines”. They have no idea how you are feeling inside, if you haven’t slept well for the last few nights, that you missed lunch and you are stressed about family stuff. All these things, and the below <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/quiz/my-body/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can impact the way alcohol affects you</a>:</p>
<ul>
<li>Gender</li>
<li>Age</li>
<li>Body fat/weight (BMI)</li>
<li>How much food you have eaten</li>
<li>If you have exercised and/or done physical activity</li>
<li>Hydration levels</li>
<li>Mental health</li>
<li>Fatigue</li>
</ul>
<p>With so many varying factors at play, why risk it?</p>


<p>It is also important to remember that alcohol is a mind-altering drug. It impairs your judgment so the decisions you make after the first drop of alcohol has touched your lips, will never be as good as the ones you make stone cold sober.</p>
<p>Research indicates that <a href="https://www.alcohol.org.nz/alcohol-its-effects/about-alcohol/blood-alcohol-levels" target="_blank" rel="noopener">driving ability is impaired after consuming any level of alcohol</a> but with an excess of two standard drinks in your system (note this is 2 <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/quiz/your-drink/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">standard drinks</a> not necessarily 2 glasses or bottles), you will have started to lose your ability to:</p>


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The drink driving limit in NZ

<ul>
<li>Concentrate</li>
<li>Reason</li>
<li>Perceive depth (distance/speed)</li>
<li>Use your peripheral vision</li>
<li>Recover quickly from glare/bright lights in your eyes</li>
<li>Your vision may also be blurred</li>
</ul>
<p>All of which are essential to driving safely and making timely decisions behind the wheel. If you are going to drink, you are best to just plan not to drive. Find an alternative way to get home and leave the driving to someone else!</p>


<h4><strong>The Myths:</strong></h4>
<ul>
<li>Eating absorbs alcohol so it’s ok to have one or two drinks with a meal – FALSE</li>
<li>Coffee and/or water sobers you up – FALSE</li>
<li>A cold shower sobers you up – FALSE</li>
<li>Fresh air gets alcohol out your system more quickly – FALSE</li>
</ul>
<p>The only cure is time. Put simply, the <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/quiz/your-drink/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">adult body can only process one standard drink an hour</a>, regardless of your age, size or how much you’ve eaten and there’s no way to speed that up. So, when you’re drinking a typical 5% bottle of beer or cider at a BBQ, remember it will take your body 1.3 hours to process the alcohol in that bottle. Not thinking about or understanding this processing time is why people often get caught drunk driving the next day after only a few hours sleep!!</p>


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Drink Driving Limit New Zealand

<p>The standard drink information is printed on every label of alcohol sold in NZ so if you have a drink in your hand, you have the key info you need to make a smarter drinking choice right at your fingertips! You can also get this standard drink information from our cool <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/standard-drink-calculator" target="_blank" rel="noopener">online calculator</a>.</p>
<p>Drink smart, stay safe and if you drive drunk, you’re a bloody idiot.</p>
<h5><em> </em><em>Alcohol&amp;Me team</em></h5>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>*</em><em>Research commissioned by Lion’s Alcohol&amp;Me, Dec 2018</em></p>


What is the drink driving limit in NZ? | Alcohol&Me

Confused about drink driving limits? Only 17% of Kiwis know it. Get the facts to make smarter choices. Learn about penalties and guidelines from Alcohol&Me.

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Everything you need to know about drink driving in NZ

Alcohol and Me

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Jude Walter

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<h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>PART 2: ALCOHOL &amp; MENTAL HEALTH SERIES</strong></h4>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">HEALTHIER WAYS TO RELAX</h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>As discussed in <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/part-1-alcohol-mental-health-series-stress-and-anxiety-how-alcohol-can-impact-your-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Part 1 of this Mental Health &amp; Alcohol series</a>, it is important to remember, alcohol is not a superhero. While some people may be tempted to turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism for the pressures of day-to-day life, it is important to realise that this is not a long-term solution and it may in fact <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/part-1-alcohol-mental-health-series-stress-and-anxiety-how-alcohol-can-impact-your-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener">make the situation worse</a>.</p>
<p>According to a recent Alcohol&amp;Me survey. 53% of respondents reported that they drank to relax and unwind. This is consistent with the previous year’s surveys, making it the number one reported reason why people drink.</p>
<p>Alcohol alters your perceptions. The relaxed feeling you get when you have your first drink is because alcohol depresses the part of the brain associated with inhibition. This why you may feel less anxious and more confident after a drink or two. However, the more you drink, the longer it will take to reach this same relaxed, un-wound feeling and so the vicious cycle begins.</p>
<p>Breaking bad habits and creating new ones can be tough in all aspects of life. Drinking habits are no different but if you are looking for ways to reduce your drinking, here are some alternative ways you might like to try and relax and unwind at the end of a stressful day or week:</p>


<ul>
<li>Do some exercise &#8211; this could be a gym class, a game of sport or simply a brisk walk. Even better do it with some mates so that you can still get the sociability piece without the alcohol.</li>
<li>Cook &#8211; many people find chopping, slicing, and cooking relaxing. Try a new recipe and make time to create your favourite meal as this is a great distraction from what might usually be “wine o’clock”.</li>
<li>Play with your kids or pets &#8211; they can be a great circuit breaker at the end of the day, and they will never tire of the extra attention.</li>
<li>Hunt out some fun new mocktail recipes &#8211; having a special drink tricks your brain into thinking it’s getting its end of day/week reward without the negative effects of the alcohol.</li>
<li>Listen to some calming music.</li>
<li>Talk to a good friend – this can be a great way to release difficult feelings whilst also providing some connection and support. A problem shared is often a problem halved.</li>
<li>Mow your lawns, weed the garden – the fresh air is an added bonus when connecting with nature.</li>
<li>Practice yoga, meditation, or simple stretching – the deep breathing will help you unwind.</li>
<li>Have a relaxing bath or spa. Using essential oils (bath only), candles and bubbles will help to stimulate all your senses.</li>
<li>Pick up a new hobby – maybe it’s a musical instrument, crocheting, dancing or darts. Whatever it is, it will give you something else to do with your hands and because it’s new it will require your full, undivided concentration!</li>
</ul>


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<p>What else might you add to this list? What are some realistic changes you could try to help you relax without a drink in your hand?</p>
<p>We know not all of these will work for everyone and some may take a bit more practice than others, but we encourage you not to dismiss any of them too quickly. On average, it takes 66 days before a new behaviour or ritual becomes automatic so be patient and compassionate with yourself in the process. Remember your mind and body will thank you for this!</p>
<p>Talking to people you trust about your plans can also be a great way to help you stay strong and keep persevering. They can encourage you along the way and keep you company if you’re using exercise etc to help you cope but more than anything, they’ll be less likely to pressure you into drinking.</p>


<p>Cutting back on your drinking and/or finding new and different ways to relax doesn’t have to come at the expense of being social. If you usually socialise in the pub, the choice in great tasting alcohol-free beverages is growing or think about other activities you could enjoy with friends e.g. going to the movies, watching some live sport, doing an activity together or trying an evening class.</p>
<h4></h4>
<h4>If you need help</h4>
<p>If you ever find yourself using alcohol to help you cope with challenges in your life, it is Ok to ask for help so please reach out for professional advice and support:</p>


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<ul>
<li>If it is an emergency, call 111</li>
<li>Contact your local GP or healthcare professional</li>
<li>Reach out to the friendly trained counsellors at the <a href="https://alcoholdrughelp.org.nz/">Alcohol&amp;Drug Helpline</a> on 0800 787 797. They are available 24/7 and can provided everything from self help tips, to counselling contacts and treatment options</li>
<li>Free Text or call <a href="mailto:https://1737.org.nz/">1737</a> anytime</li>
</ul>
<p>For more information you might like to check out &#8211; <a href="https://healthify.nz/hauora-wellbeing/a/alcohol-and-mental-health/">https://healthify.nz/hauora-wellbeing/a/alcohol-and-mental-health/</a></p>
<p>Cheers</p>
<h5><em>The Alcohol&amp;Me Team</em></h5>


Alcohol and mental health Part 2 | Alcohol&Me NZ

Discover healthier ways to unwind in our Mental Health & Alcohol series. Break free from alcohol dependence and embrace well-being. Dive into Part 2 from Alcohol&Me!

Part 2: Alcohol and Mental Health Series: Healthier ways to relax

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<h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>PART 1 &#8211; ALCOHOL &amp; MENTAL HEALTH SERIES:</strong></h4>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">STRESS AND ANXIETY &#8211; HOW ALCOHOL CAN IMPACT</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">YOUR MENTAL HEALTH</h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>The relationship between alcohol and mental health is complex. While the effects of alcohol can have a short-term positive impact on our mood, in the long term regular, heavy drinking can cause problems for mental health so this month we’ve got the experts to give us the facts and some practical tips on how to protect your mental health if you choose to drink.</em></p>
<p>People drink for many reasons: to celebrate, socialise or commiserate. After a tough day, people may choose to have a beer or wine to escape, relax and de-stress others might drink to try change their mood: to feel more courageous or confident. While it may make you feel better initially, the effect of alcohol is only temporary. As it wears off, we can feel worse because of how alcohol affects our mind and body which makes any difficult feelings harder to deal with. So, let’s explore this in some more detail.</p>


<h4>How alcohol affects your brain</h4>
<p>It might surprise you to know that alcohol is a depressant. Alcohol slows down the <a href="https://api.alcoholandme.production.beingbui.lt/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/BrainInfographic.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>central nervous system</u></a> which, in turn, impacts almost all the body’s cells and systems, including your brain chemistry. Your brain functions best when its chemicals and processes are all in balance, but alcohol disrupts that balance by changing the neurotransmitters (the chemicals that help transmit signals from one brain neuron to another). This in turn affects your feelings, thoughts and behaviour a.k.a your mental health.</p>
<p>The relaxed feeling you get when you have your first drink is the sign that your brain chemistry is starting to change. The alcohol is depressing the part of the brain associated with inhibition, which is why after a drink or two you may feel less anxious and more confident, often referred to as ‘losing your inhibitions’.</p>


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<p>Drinking also lowers the levels of serotonin in your brain – a chemical that helps to regulate your mood. When this happens, negative emotional responses, such as anger, aggression, anxiety, or depression, can start to take over regardless of your mood. This can have a cumulative effect so that if you drink heavily, regularly, your serotonin levels get lower and lower. Rather than improving your mood, alcohol can gradually make it worse.</p>
<p>Finally, alcohol also slows <a href="https://api.alcoholandme.production.beingbui.lt/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/BrainInfographic.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>down how your brain processes information</u></a>, making it harder to work out what you’re really feeling and the possible consequences of your actions are.</p>
<p>In the short term, you may feel more relaxed, but having a drink is often used as a distraction from dealing with what’s causing you stress, anxiety, or frustration.</p>
<p>If you use alcohol as a way of relieving stress and anxiety, drinking may become a habit.  Long-term this can be a real problem for mental health as heavy drinking reduces the number of neurotransmitters in our brains that help to regulate negative thoughts and emotions, which can make you want to drink even more to relieve the difficult feelings. You can see how the cycle of dependence can start.</p>


<h4>Some signs that drinking could be impacting your mental health:</h4>
<ul>
<li>You are drinking more than you used to or you pattern of drinking has changed.</li>
<li>Finding it hard to sleep after drinking &#8211; drinking won’t lead to a good night’s sleep either as it can <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/facts-about-drinking-that-will-keep-you-awake-at-night" target="_blank" rel="noopener">disrupt your sleep patterns</a>. A lack of good quality sleep is also linked lower mood and make feelings of stress even harder to deal with.</li>
<li>Changes in mood and/or temperament – behaving more recklessly or aggressively, having more frequent accidents or become involved with violence.</li>
<li>Changes in your physical health from simple things like upset stomachs, bloating and more frequent headaches through to more serious health conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, liver problems.</li>
<li>Feeling tired and hung over regularly.</li>
<li>Feeling worried, anxious, and uncomfortable in places that you wouldn’t normally have been worried.</li>
<li>Feeling worried, anxious and frustrated with people who wouldn’t normally have this effect on you e.g. partners, family, friends or team mates. Aside from the well-known physical symptoms of a hangover, you may have noticed that you feel more anxious the day after drinking; you may have a nagging worry that you did or said something you shouldn’t have. You may also feel angry or disappointed in yourself for drinking too much.</li>
<li>Feeling unmotivated, worried, or anxious at work.</li>
</ul>


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<p>The more alcohol you drink, the greater the effect it has on your brain function and – potentially – your mental health.</p>
<h4>So how much can I drink?</h4>
<p>There is no simple answer to this question as we all feel the effects of alcohol on our body and mind differently. It also depends a bit on your other responsibilities, but evidence shows that drinking more than the Ministry of Health’s Low Risk drinking guidelines of <strong>14 standard drinks per week for men</strong> and <strong>10 standard drinks per week for women</strong>, and at least 2 alcohol-free days per week, can make feelings of stress harder to deal with.</p>
<p>It is important to note that these guidelines refer to <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/quiz/your-drink/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">standard drinks</a>, which is not necessarily a glass, bottle or can. Make sure you <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/quiz/your-drink/15" target="_blank" rel="noopener">know exactly what one standard drink</a> looks like for your favourite beverage as drinking more than the Ministry’s guidelines would classify you as a <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/part-2-alcohol-and-health-series-am-i-a-heavy-drinker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“heavy drinker”</a> which brings with it a large range of additional health risks regardless of your age.</p>
<p>Cutting back on the amount you drink can help improve your overall mental health and wellbeing as well as reducing the risk of long-term harm so like most things – moderation is the key. At Alcohol&amp;Me we like to use this <strong>SIZE, PACE, SPACE</strong> manta to help us drink smarter:</p>


<p><strong>SIZE – </strong>get to know the size of your drink and stop kidding yourself it was one wine when it was actually three standard drinks.</p>
<p><strong>PACE – </strong>remember the adult liver can only process one standard drinks (10g pure alcohol) per hour and there is no way to speed this process up so think about what’s a good pace for you to drink at so you last the distance in style and avoid a hangover the next day.</p>
<p><strong>SPACE – </strong>how can you space your drinks out to make sure you remember the night for all the right reasons? Maybe you commit to having a glass of water between drinks, choose lower or no alcohol drinks, eat plenty of good food, and play a game of pool to give your hands something else to do!</p>
<p>Check out our <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/3-top-tips-for-drinking-smarter" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>3 Top Tips for Drinking Smarter</u></a> article for more information.</p>


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What is heavy drinking?

<p>If you’ve been having a drink (or 2 or 3 …) most days as your way to relax, it can be hard to break that habit. Part 2 of our Mental Health &amp; Alcohol series provides tips on <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/part-2-alcohol-and-mental-health-series-healthier-ways-to-relax" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alternative ways to relax</a> but a great start might be to have just one small drink with your dinner in the evening. Try to resist the temptation to reach for the bottle as soon as you get home by creating a new end of day/week ritual &#8211; this is a great way to help you cut back and make the choices that are right for you and your wellbeing.</p>
<h4>If you need help</h4>
<p>If you ever find yourself using alcohol to help you cope with challenges in your life, you need a friend and that friend can’t be found at the bottom of a bottle, can or glass.</p>


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<p>It is Ok to ask for help so if your difficult feelings/anxiety are impacting life at home or at work, if your low mood doesn’t improve or you feel that you are just not coping, please reach out for professional advice and support:</p>
<ul>
<li>If it is an emergency, call 111</li>
<li>Contact your local GP or healthcare professional</li>
<li>Reach out to the friendly trained counsellors at the <a href="https://alcoholdrughelp.org.nz/">Alcohol&amp;Drug Helpline</a> on 0800 787 797. They are available 24/7 and can provided everything from self help tips, to counselling contacts and treatment options</li>
<li>Free Text or call <a href="mailto:https://1737.org.nz/">1737</a> anytime</li>
</ul>
<p>Seeking help may feel like a big step but with the right support and guidance it is never too late to make a positive change. Please do not worry alone! For more information you might like to check out &#8211; <a href="https://healthify.nz/hauora-wellbeing/a/alcohol-and-mental-health/">https://healthify.nz/hauora-wellbeing/a/alcohol-and-mental-health/</a></p>
<p>Cheers</p>
<h5><em>The Alcohol&amp;Me Team</em></h5>


Alcohol and mental health Part 1 | Alcohol&Me NZ

Explore the intricate link between alcohol and mental health in our series. Learn from experts and find practical tips from Alcohol&Me for a balanced approach.

Part 1: Alcohol and Mental Health Series: How alcohol can impact your mental health

<h3 style="text-align: center;">NIPS, MEASURES, POURS, STANDARD DRINKS &#8230; WHAT DO THEY ALL MEAN?</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Searches like ‘What is a nip?,’ ‘How much is a pour for alcohol?’ and ‘What is a Standard drink?’ consistently appear in the Top 10 list for Alcohol&amp;Me so we’ve pulled together this simple guide to help you understand what they each mean.</em></p>


<h5>What is a Nip?</h5>
<p>According to the Collins dictionary, a Nip is a small amount of a strong alcoholic drink but in everyday Kiwi terms, a nip refers to that small, funny looking metal or plastic spout that you may have seen on the top of a bottle of spirits in your local pub or in your grandparents cupboard. It’s designed to measure out exactly 15mLs of alcohol at a time therefore a <strong>Nip is 15mLs of alcohol</strong>. In NZ, most spirits (e.g. a Gin &amp; Tonic, Vodka &amp; Soda, Rum &amp; Coke) are sold as a double unless you are told otherwise. This means they will be a two nip pours or 30mLs of spirit or liqueur. Originally introduced as a tool for publicans to make sure their bar staff weren’t being heavy handed on their pours, nips are not as common these days with most establishments instead using jiggers or other measures (see below).</p>
<h5>What is a measure?</h5>
<p>Like standard pours (see below) measures will change depending on a number of factors including the country you are in, the size of the glasses and in the case of mixed drinks, the recipe being followed which means there is <strong>no single answer to this question.</strong></p>


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Standard nip size

<p>The most common measure for an alcoholic beverage is mLs or millilitres. In NZ most packaged beers and ciders are 330mLs (approx. 1-1.5 std drinks) in size but if you are drinking tap beer, they can range from 250mL to over 500mL (approx. 2 std drinks) depending on the glassware. For wine, typical NZ bottles are 750mLs (approx. 7.1-7.5 std drinks) but if you are buying by the glass, they can range from 125mL to approx. 220mLs (2.2 std drinks). When it comes to mixed drinks, cocktail jiggers or measuring cups like the silver ones seen on the bar in this image are common tools that help with these free pour measures. They typically have a larger( 30mL/ 1 std drink) and a smaller (15mL) end with fill lines so bartenders can easily see exactly what they are pouring.</p>
<h5>What is a standard pour?</h5>
<p>In NZ, there is no such thing as a standard pour so again there is <strong>no simple answer to this question</strong>. Every outlet has its own shapes and sizes of glassware so don’t be fooled. For instance, here in NZ, a pint of beer or cider typically refers to the biggest glass available whereas in the UK a Pint must be 560mL and in the US it is approximately 470mL.</p>


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<p>If you are drinking at home, a standard pour of wine for you might be a full glass, which is likely to be 250mL (2.5 std drinks). At a bar or restaurant in NZ, a standard pour will typically be 150mLs (1.5 std drinks) so they can get 5 perfect serves out of a 750mL bottle of wine without any waste.</p>
<p>As mentioned above spirits in NZ are typically sold as Doubles (30mLs/ 1 std drink) unless you ask otherwise but there are plenty of cocktails and other mixed drinks that would have considerably more than this and it will differ from bar to bar so check with the Bartender if you have concerns.</p>
<h5>What is a standard drink?</h5>
<p>This is an easy one &#8211; <strong>a <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/quiz/your-drink/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">standard drink is a drink that contains 10g of pure alcohol</a></strong> and this is the maximum amount of alcohol a healthy adult liver can process in 1 hour. Standard drinks are the only fool proof way to know exactly how much alcohol you are consuming. Because alcoholic drinks come in different strengths and sizes, Standard Drinks are the easiest way to tell how strong your drink is, and can also help you to make comparisons between your drink choices.</p>


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<p>You can find out everything you need to know about <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/quiz/your-drink/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Standard Drinks here</a> or check out our <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/standard-drink-calculator" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Standard Drinks calculator</a> on you next night out. Remember, if you drink faster than 1 standard drink per hour your body and mind will be affected so think before you drink!</p>
<p>As you can see, these common alcohol related terms are all quite different and they are definitely not interchangeable for each other. If you want to drink smarter the best number to commit to memory is Standard Drinks. Knowing how many standard drinks you have had and that it will take your body 1 hours to process each of those standards, means you’re well equipped to make the drinking choices that are right for you. <em>#youdrinkyou</em></p>
<p>Cheers</p>
<h5><em>Alcohol&amp;Me Team</em></h5>


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Standard drink size diagram

Nips, Measures, Pours, Standard Drinks: What do they all mean?

Unlock the mystery of alcohol terms: What's a nip, measure, pour, and standard drink? Dive into Alcohol&Me's guide for a clearer understanding.

Balloons 10th bday - Alcohol and Me

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Alcohol&Me_10years_1120x640_RGB_positive

<p>This April, our Alcohol&amp;Me programme is proudly celebrating its 10<sup>th</sup> Birthday – a significant milestone for the programme which started its life as a small internal Lion workshop back in April 2013. Since then, it has gone on to help educate more than 400,000* adult New Zealanders, something we think is worth celebrating!</p>
<p>10 years into our journey we are very excited about the difference Alcohol&amp;Me is making in our communities but we know there is still a long way to go with many Kiwis still overestimating their drinking knowledge.</p>
<h5 style="text-align: center;">95% of participants say they would recommend Alcohol&amp;Me to others</h5>
<h5 style="text-align: center;">89% report making a positive change to the way they drink having completed an Alcohol&amp;Me module. The most common reported changes being having alcohol-free nights and eating a meal before drinking.</h5>


<p>Our research shows that perceived knowledge of alcohol in New Zealand is high – 9 out of 10 people rate their knowledge as good or better. However, while most people have heard of <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/do-you-know-your-stds">standard drinks</a>, under half can actually provide the correct definition, and 30% incorrectly believe a standard drink is a single bottle of beer or glass of wine. If this is you, you might like to <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/quiz/your-drink/1">check out our interactive ‘Your Drink’ module</a> here.</p>
<p>Few people know that the adult human liver can only process <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/are-standard-drinks-gobbledygook">one standard drink</a> or <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/standard-drink-calculator">10g of pure alcohol per hour</a>, and that there is no way to speed this process up. Knowing these two simple facts is essential to making smarter, more informed drinking choices and will remain the focus of our Alcohol&amp;Me journey for the next decade and beyond as we strive to  connect with more Kiwi drinkers.</p>


<p>You can help us on our mission by sharing this free online programme with your friends, family, and colleagues &#8211; <a href="http://www.alcoholandme.org.nz">www.alcoholandme.org.nz</a> or following us on Facebook (AlcoholAndMe), Instagram (alcoholandme_nz) and LinkedIn (alcohol-me).</p>
<p>Together we can all play a role in empowering New Zealanders to become more informed and make smarter decisions that keep them safe and sociable if they choose to drink.</p>
<p>Cheers to drinking smarter!</p>
<h5><em>ALCOHOL&amp;ME TEAM</em></h5>


Helping Kiwis Make Smarter Drinking Choices | Alcohol&Me

Learn more about online learning programme Alcohol&Me and how you can help us on our mission to educate Kiwis about smarter drinking choices.

PROUDLY HELPING KIWIS TO MAKE SMARTER DRINKING CHOICES FOR 10 YEARS

Friends Catch up with Food - Alcohol and Me

<h3 style="text-align: center;">3 TOP WAYS TO MAKE THE GOOD TIMES LAST LONGER IN 2023</h3>
<p>As humans, we’re all different, which means we need to make informed choices about if, when, and how we drink alcohol.<br />
While the liver is primarily responsible for processing the alcohol we choose to drink, it needs to be supported by the rest of the body to do its job and that is why we all <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/why-cant-i-drink-like-my-mates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">feel the effects of alcohol differently</a>.</p>
<p>Take a moment to think about how many drinks it takes before you start saying or doing things you wouldn’t usually do. This is a pretty good indicator that you’re drinking more than your body can handle, so here are our Top 3 Tips for drinking smarter in 2023. You might also like to check out our <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/standard-drink-calculator" target="_blank" rel="noopener">standard drinks calculator</a>:</p>


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SizePaceSpace Image

<p>At <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/?gclid=CjwKCAjwrdmhBhBBEiwA4Hx5g-KbYB_S92PicBvWnBIB1W5URuNR5JH9bSnrF1QzhRMAUoOcC3gdAxoCyxYQAvD_BwE">Alcohol&amp;Me</a>, we call this our SIZE, PACE, SPACE mantra, and it’s a great thing to recite to yourself before and during a drinking occasion to help keep yourself in check. <a href="https://api.alcoholandme.production.beingbui.lt/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Infographic-SizePaceSpace-Feb-23.pdf">Click here</a> to download a printable version of this infographic for your fridge at home or the office.</p>
<p>When you choose to drink, the best way to make the good times last longer is to remember to eat well, keep count of your <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/standard-drink-calculator" target="_blank" rel="noopener">standard drinks</a>, give your body time to process them and have plenty of water to pace yourself and stay hydrated.</p>
<p>Cheers to drinking smarter!</p>
<p><em>Alcohol&amp;Me Team</em></p>


Make the good times last longer | Alcohol&Me NZ

As humans, we’re all different, which means we need to make informed choices about if, when, and how we drink alcohol.

Top 3 ways to make the good times last longer in 2023

Sleep (pexels-acharaporn-kamornboonyarush-1028741) - Alcohol and Me

<h3 style="text-align: center;">FACTS ABOUT DRINKING THAT WILL KEEP YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Sleep is well known to be very important for all round health and wellbeing. In fact, as humans, we simply can’t live without it. So, what happens when your </em><em>drinking starts to interfere with your sleep? </em></p>
<p>Science shows us that together with balanced nutrition and proper exercise, s<a href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2021/04/good-sleep-good-health#:~:text=But%20sleep%20is%20as%20important,stroke%20to%20obesity%20and%20dementia.">leep is a key component of good health</a>. That’s because sleep is our body’s natural recovery mechanism, and without enough of it, things can get bad pretty quickly.</p>
<p>Alcohol is the enemy of a good night’s sleep, and here’s three key reasons why:</p>
<ul>
<li>Consumption of alcohol (and other things like coffee or energy drinks) can<a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/nutrition/alcohol-and-sleep"> interfere with our normal sleep processes</a> even after just 1-2 drinks. While drinking alcohol before bedtime may help some people fall asleep more quickly in the short term, it can affect the quality of your sleep over the course of the full night. It can also disrupt your sleep cycles and cause early morning waking</li>
<li>Late nights also impact our internal body clock – our sleep – wake – sleep cycle which is also known as the <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm">Circadian Rhythm</a>. While it might be fine for you to have a nice sleep in and slow start to the day on a Sunday, most of us don’t have this luxury on other days of the week. Late nights are followed by head splitting alarm clock wake ups, which mean you feel much less rested than you normally would</li>
<li>Alcohol also has a <a href="https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/effects-on-the-body/why-does-alcohol-make-you-pee-more#:~:text=Alcohol%20is%20a%20diuretic%2C%20which,the%20regulation%20of%20water%20excretion.">diuretic effect</a>, which tends to make you pass more urine. For this reason, you may have to get up during the night to go to the toilet, leading to a more disturbed night’s sleep.</li>
</ul>


<p>The common theme in all of these is broken sleep patterns. If this is a regular occurrence like it often is at this social time of year, then over time, the effects can be wide-reaching:</p>
<ul>
<li>causes fatigue, lack of motivation, moodiness</li>
<li>affects your concentration and memory</li>
<li>reduces your creativity and ability to problem solve</li>
<li>lowers your ability to cope with stress</li>
<li>reduces your immunity</li>
<li>impairs your motor skills (e.g. co-ordination)</li>
<li>can act as a trigger for some mental health problems</li>
</ul>


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Sleep-2_-pexels-pixabay-271897

<p>Put simply, you may become less alert, productive and more prone to accidents.<br />
So enough of the doom and gloom – how much sleep do we actually need and how can you get it?</p>
<p>Sleep is quite a contentious topic as we are all different but expert advice from the <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/">Sleep Foundation</a> suggests that Adults (18+) should have 7-9 hours quality sleep a day and 7-8 hours for Seniors. The key word here is quality!</p>
<p>Some of you will be rolling your eyes or having a wee chuckle. These guidelines serve as a rule of thumb, and ultimately you will know how much sleep you need to be able to balance your health and other responsibilities in life but remember – sleep deprivation has been used as a form of torture over history and for very good reason. Everything is harder when you are tired, even something as simple as tying your shoelaces, so be kind to yourself and ensure you have a good sleep routine, regardless of the time your head hits the pillow.</p>
<h4><strong>5 Tips for a good night’s sleep:</strong></h4>
<h5>Make Sleep A Priority</h5>
<p>We all love to have a good time with our mates, but in the same way we prioritise time to eat, work, exercise and play, we do need to prioritise time for sleep. So if you know you have a big night on the calendar, try and get a few early nights beforehand or on weekends, make sure you don’t have any early morning engagements so you can catch up on some shut eye that you missed then. Alternatively, a nap could be your secret weapon ahead of a late one – the Spanish are great at this with their afternoon Siestas! Experiment with a late afternoon sleep, up to <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/how-long-should-i-nap#:~:text=A%20short%20nap%20of%2020,feeling%20more%20groggy%20and%20fatigued." target="_blank" rel="noopener">30mins max</a>. Like a quick battery top-up, this will give you an energy boost before you head out and makes for a slightly smaller sleep deficit the next day.</p>


<h5>Eat Right</h5>
<p>Eating well goes without saying for all round good health, but it is especially important for helping to absorb the alcohol in your body and achieve quality sleep. Experts suggest that you avoid caffeine at night (yes, this should include Red Bulls) and don’t eat big, heavy meals 2hrs before sleep (including Kabab’s and Macca’s on the way home). You are better off making good food choices and eating before and during your drinking occasion to help slow down the absorption of alcohol in your body and for the best results – don’t forget to drink plenty of water and <a href="https://www.self.com/gallery/high-protein-breakfasts-that-arent-eggs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">start the next day with a protein-rich breakfast.</a></p>


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<h5>Expose yourself</h5>
<p>Melatonin is a hormone in our bodies that helps to regulate our sleep cycles, and it’s controlled by exposure to sunlight. Your brain will release more melatonin when it is dark, which makes us sleepy, so partying the night away in brightly lit bars will play havoc with this natural cycle. To keep your sleep–wake–sleep cycle in check, try to expose yourself to sunlight in the mornings, ensure you allow as much natural light into your home/workplace as possible, and get regular exercise to help improve the quality of your sleep over time. The only watch out is avoiding vigorous exercise 3hours before sleep – worth remembering if you are known for cutting mean shapes on the D Floor in the wee small hours of the morning!</p>


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Sleep6_pexels-hassan-ouajbir-1535288-scaled

<h5>Temple of Sleep</h5>
<p>Regardless of when you hit the sack, your bedroom should recreate what’s happening outside at night: cool, dark and quiet. Remove all the piles of clothes and junk off your bed before you go out, so you have a zen space to return to.<br />
Make sure you have dark curtains that block out the light, or try sleeping in an eye mask. Put your phone in a drawer when you go to bed and try not to lie on your bed watching Netflix or sending txt’s you will regret. This will only make it harder for you to fall asleep and stay that way.</p>


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Sleep-3_pexels-rachel-claire-5490723

<h5>Routine &amp; Ritual</h5>
<p>Cast your mind back to when you were a child and/or parent to young kids. You’ll remember the importance of having a bedtime routine to get youngsters to sleep. As adults, we are no different, so even after a night out, ensure you have a pre-sleep routine (albeit a simpler version of your normal routine). Maybe it’s taking a hot shower before jumping into bed, having a cup of caffeine-free tea or anything else that relaxes your mind.<br />
Remember – quality sleep requires both your body and mind to be relaxed.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/quiz-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Take our quizzes</a> to learn more about the effects of alcohol and how to drink safely.</p>
<p>Good luck with improving your beauty sleep this summer. As always, we would love to hear your top sleep tips and tricks so feel free to email us at <a href="mailto:alcoholandme@lionco.com">alcoholandme@lionco.com</a>.</p>
<p><em>The Alcohol&amp;Me Team</em></p>


Alcohol and sleep | Alcohol&Me NZ

Facts about drinking that will keep you awake at night, and how you can get the best night's sleep. Learn now with online learning support Alcohol&Me.

Facts about drinking that will keep you awake at night

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Developers

BAC limit - Alcohol and Me

<h3 style="text-align: center;">How to host beautifully this spring</h3>
<p><em>The days are getting longer and the weather a little warmer. If you’re anything like us, you will be champing at the bit to dust off your outdoor furniture, crank up your favourite playlist and get friends &amp; family together around the outdoor fireplace. That’s why this month, we’ve teamed up with our friends at Wither Hills to share some simple tips to help you ‘Host Beautifully’ this spring. We’ve even pulled together some amazing food and wine matching ideas for you to re-create a home so read on to find out more.</em></p>
<p>Being a host comes with a lot of responsibility and – yes there is more to it than simply making sure you have the wine chilled! As a host, you are the one that makes sure your guests have a great time and by a great time, we mean a sociable and safe one! Responsible hosting is not about being a “kill joy” – it is about helping to make sure the good times last longer, so whether it’s an afternoon in the sun or an evening around the dinner table, here are some simple ideas to help you be the host with the most this spring:</p>


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FoodWine -ron-lach-8922189

<h5>GET PREPARED:</h5>
<ul>
<li>Plan ahead &#8211; Make sure you have a clear idea of how you want the occasion to go</li>
<li>Set expectations before the event begins and wherever possible include a finish time</li>
<li>If the event is stretching over a long time, organise activities to help take the emphasis off drinking e.g. a game of Boules or Back Yard Cricket</li>
<li>Suggest to your guests that they plan how they will get home before they come and offer some options especially if they are traveling a distance. Maybe you could offer for them to stay over?</li>
<li>Ensure you have everything you need on hand before your guests arrive</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h5>IN THE MOMENT:</h5>
<ul>
<li>Ensure you’ve got a great selection of low and mid strength drinks and encourage your guests to try them – see our food and wine matches below for a few of our current favourites or <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/low-and-no-its-all-go" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here.</a></li>
<li>Have a variety of high-quality non-alcoholic options available – not just orange juice!! If you need inspiration, <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/low-and-no-its-all-go" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>click here.</u></a></li>
<li>Serve food throughout the function — high protein food is great but make sure the food is substantial, that it starts early and that there’s enough to keep nibbling at throughout the occasion. Check out our easy-to-follow food ideas and recipes below.</li>
<li>Have jugs of water and glasses available for people to grab as required</li>
<li>Keep an eye on everyone – you want to make sure they remember your event for the right reasons!</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h5>ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END:</h5>
<ul>
<li>When the function is starting to wind down, or you think it is time for people to start heading home, start offering tea, coffee, and other non-alcoholic drinks only</li>
<li>Make sure everyone has a safe way home, and don’t let anyone who has been drinking leave alone. Make sure everyone is aware of the alcohol limit for driving in New Zealand. If they&#8217;ve had a drink, the safest choice is not to drive.</li>
<li>If all else fails, turn on all the lights and put <em>“Say Goodbye”</em> on repeat!! An old boss of mine used to get out the vacuum cleaner at Friday night drinks and that also worked a treat for moving people on!</li>
</ul>
<p>Whatever the occasion, we always recommend you enjoy your drinks with good friends, tasty food and an occasional glass of water. It will definitely help to make the good times last longer and your body will thank you for it tomorrow.</p>


<h5>FOOD &amp; WINE MATCHES</h5>
<p>Click on the links below for printable recipe cards, complete with wine tasting notes so you can be the host with the most this spring:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://api.alcoholandme.production.beingbui.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/RecipeCard_Canapes.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CANAPES ON ARRIVAL &#8211; </strong></a><em>Smoked Salmon Blinis </em><em>with Wither Hills Early Light Rose</em></li>
<li><a href="https://api.alcoholandme.production.beingbui.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/RecipeCard_Nibbles.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>AFTERNOON NIBBLES &#8211; </strong></a><em>Wither Hills Early Light Sauvignon Blanc &#8211; Cheese and Charcuterie</em></li>
<li><a href="https://api.alcoholandme.production.beingbui.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/RecipeCard_Main.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>THE MAIN COURSE &#8211; </strong></a><em>Wither Hills Taylor River Pinot Noir with Roast Lamb and Duck Fat Potatoes</em></li>
</ul>
<p>We would love to see photos of you “Hosting Beautifully” so please send them, and any other hot hosting tips you’ve got, to us @ <a href="mailto:alcoholandme@lionco.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alcoholandme@lionco.com</a> so we can share them with other Kiwis, just like you, via our social platforms.</p>
<p>Here cheers to Hosting Beautifully this Spring!</p>


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AAM_WH3

How to host safely | Alcohol&Me NZ

Alcohol and me has teamed up with our friends at Wither Hills to share some simple tips to help you ‘Host Beautifully’ this spring.

How to host beautifully this spring

ParentTeen 3 (pexels-mart-production-8885108) - Alcohol and Me

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Part 3: How to help your teen to combat peer pressure around alcohol</h3>
<h6 style="text-align: center;">NOTE: ALCOHOL&amp;ME DOES NOT CONDONE UNDERAGE DRINKING IN ANY WAY. THAT SAID, WE CAN NOT IGNORE THE FACT THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LIKELY TO SHOW INTEREST IN ALCOHOL AND DRINKING AT SOME STAGE SO THESE ARTICLES ARE DESIGNED TO HELP PARENTS BETTER PREPARE THEMSELVES TO HAVE INFORMED, TIMELY CONVERSIONS WITH THEIR YOUNG PEOPLE AS THEY SEE FIT.</h6>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>It’s normal for young people to worry about fitting in. We’ve all been there and in fact some of us oldies still battle with it today! Peer groups play a key role in people’s lives, particularly during adolescence where feeling liked and accepted by our peers is key to our sense of belonging. With this often comes ‘peer pressure’ – a level of influence that groups can have over how our teens think and act in all areas of their lives. While peer pressure can be a great tool in helping our young people to try new things and grow self-confidence, it can also lead our teens to do things they wouldn’t usually do. It can challenge their views of what’s right or wrong and impact both self-esteem and mental health, something that can be especially true when it comes to trying alcohol.</em></p>
<p><em>Yes, there are other forces at play such as social media and celebrities which can also influence our kids’ attitude towards alcohol but how can we as parents help our kids to combat this and make sure they are making the choice that are right for them when it comes to alcohol?</em></p>
<p>The answer is quite simple, and it starts with you – the parent. The best protection for teens when it comes to peer pressure is having a strong, open and supportive relationship with their parents.</p>
<p>As discussed in the ‘Educate’ section of <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/parenting-series-part-1-teens-drinking-nz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Part 1 in this series</a>, you, the parent(s), are the single most important influence in your teen’s life (although they are unlikely to ever admit it). Your relationship with them and with alcohol in general can help protect them against the influence of peer pressure over the long term so here are 10 Top Tips to help you in this space:</p>


<p><strong>Show an active interest</strong> – We’ve talked previously about the importance of listening and engaging with your teen in <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/parenting-series-part-1-teens-drinking-nz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Part 1 of this series.</a> Letting your teen know that what they’re doing is important to you will help open the way for more honest communication with you both. It also gives you a level of trust on which to launch some of the more challenging conversations you will need to have as a parent.</p>
<p><strong>Set Family Rules –</strong> As discussed at length in <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/parenting-series-part-1-teens-drinking-nz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Part 1 of this series</a> it’s important that your teen knows what the boundaries are. If you have clear Family Rules about alcohol and drinking it will be easier for your child to avoid breaking them. They may also refer to their family rule when refusing to give in to peer pressure.</p>
<p><strong>Be Prepared</strong> &#8211; Discuss typical age-appropriate situations with your teen in advance so they are prepared for situations that may arise. Discuss the possible consequences of such decisions and why they may be tempting. Ask your teen about some examples of typical situations so they are engaged and recognize them if/when they come up with peers.</p>
<p><strong>Discuss Effective Responses &#8211; </strong>If children are unprepared for responding to peer pressure, they are more likely to react too quickly and give in. Work with your teen to come up with some ways for them to get out of a situation that they feel uneasy about with thoughtful responses. Short and sweet is generally best – too much explaining and justifying their refusal to participate can lead to more peer pressure and disagreement. At the end of the day, your teen may simply need to reply with an assertive and firm “no” to peer requests.</p>


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ParentTeen 2 (pexels-cottonbro-6470988)

<p><strong>Encourage them to choose good friends – </strong>This gets harder as your kids get older but help support your kids to be selective when spending time with friends. They should look for friends with qualities they admire and who share similar values and ethics. If a particular peer often incites bad behaviour, it may be time to seek out new friends. Be careful not to personally criticize your teens friends however – you are best to focus on the behaviour not the person.</p>
<p><strong>Take five &#8211; </strong>Remind teens to stop and take a minute before reacting to peer pressure. Taking a deep breath and thinking about the consequences prior to answering/acting will allow them to give a more thoughtful and considered response – especially if they have practised a scenario like this with you before. When teens give themselves time to think things through, they may be less likely to give into the peer pressure e.g. Is this likely to get me into trouble? What happens if I get hurt?</p>
<p><strong>Get to know your teen’s friends</strong> &#8211; Having your teen and their friends under your roof allows you to get to know them and what they like doing. If they like being at your place, it’s harder for your teen to behave in ways that are counter to your <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/parenting-series-part-1-teens-drinking-nz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Family Rules</a>. Have fun with them when they’re at your house, but make sure they are all clear on the expectations/boundaries. Teens, both yours and others, will appreciate knowing exactly where they stand and what the consequences are if rules are broken so don’t be afraid to say ‘No’.</p>
<p><strong>Get to know the friends’ parents too &#8211;</strong> That way you’ll have a better idea of where your teens are, who they’re with and what they are doing when they are not at yours. It also gives you the opportunity to work together with the other parents to have a stronger, more united voice. Even if the other parents don’t agree with your rules/expectations, at least they are aware of where you stand and what you expect from your teen in social situations.</p>


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ParentTeen 4 (pexels-askar-abayev-5638617)

<p><strong>Sort out issues quickly &#8211;</strong> If you have problems with your teen and/or their friends, clear these up quickly and respectfully. Stay calm and always remember to be the adult in these situations. Listen to what your teen is telling you and don’t overreact. The best thing you can do is help them to reflect on the issue &#8211; Would a true friend do that to their mate? Would you like it if the shoe was on the other foot? What would your parents think about this?</p>
<p><strong>Follow through with consequences &#8211;</strong> If rules and boundaries are broken, make sure you follow through with the agreed consequences. Your teen needs to know you’re serious but make sure that as part of this you give them adequate time to share their version of events.</p>
<p>No one is immune to peer pressure. Many of us have made poor choices as a result of it in the past, so you know how important it is to take steps now to help your kids be better equipped to prevent risky behaviour in the future. Remember, as a parent you have more influence than you think so back yourself and keep talking to your teen.</p>
<p>If at any stage you are worried about your teen’s drinking and/or mental and physical health, please seek professional help from your preferred healthcare professional or contact the friendly folk at the <a href="https://alcoholdrughelp.org.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alcohol Helpline</a>. Both have lots of expertise in this area and can point you in the right direction for the support you/your teen needs to get back on the right track.</p>
<p><strong><em>The Alcohol&amp;Me Team</em></strong></p>


Teens and peer pressure | Alcohol&Me NZ

We've compiled helpful advice for parents around how to support your teen to combat peer pressure around alcohol. Learn now with Alcohol&Me.

Part 3: How to help your teen to combat peer pressure around alcohol

Binge drinking NZ - Alcohol and Me

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Part 2: Parenting Series</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Binge drinking and your teen</h3>
<h6 style="text-align: center;">NOTE: ALCOHOL&amp;ME DOES NOT CONDONE UNDERAGE DRINKING IN ANY WAY. THAT SAID, WE CAN NOT IGNORE THE FACT THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LIKELY TO SHOW INTEREST IN ALCOHOL AND DRINKING AT SOME STAGE SO THESE ARTICLES ARE DESIGNED TO HELP PARENTS BETTER PREPARE THEMSELVES TO HAVE INFORMED, TIMELY CONVERSIONS WITH THEIR YOUNG PEOPLE AS THEY SEE FIT.</h6>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Binge drinking has been widely publicised in the media over recent years and is commonly used to label “heavy drinking”, but binge drinking is not just about the number of drinks you have – it’s about drinking with the specific intention of ‘getting drunk’.</em></p>
<p><em>Unfortunately, for some people excessive drinking and purposely drinking to get drunk is now seen as the norm thanks to role modelling and social media and while there’s no denying that too many young people drink in risky ways, there are also many teenagers who are trying their best to keep themselves and their friends safe and sociable. So what can we as parents do to help them navigate this journey?</em></p>


<p><strong>DELAY</strong> &#8211; As discussed in <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/parenting-series-part-1-teens-drinking-nz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Part 1 of this Parenting Series</a>, the single best thing we can do for our teens health and wellbeing is to help them abstain from alcohol for as long as possible. Their vital organs, including their brains are still developing until they are in their 20s so any alcohol consumed prior to this can impact their mental and emotional development.</p>


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Binge drinking NZ

<p>That said, with a Legal purchase age of 18 years in NZ many kiwi teens will consume alcohol long before their 18<sup>th</sup> birthday – just like many of us did in our day! so let’s have a look at the key reasons teens have for binge drinking and how we can support them to start making smarter drinking choices moving forward:</p>
<h5>Why teens binge drink?</h5>
<ul>
<li><strong>They’re curious</strong> — they want to know what it&#8217;s like to drink alcohol but without proper education and role modelling they are likely to overindulge while they find their own limits with different drinks and social situations</li>
<li><strong>Peer Pressure</strong> &#8211; according to social media and their mates “everyone is doing it”. Social connection and a sense of belonging is extremely important to teenagers so “fitting in” can become their number 1 goal for a social occasion, no matter what that requires of them. <em>Note: We will talk more about Peer Pressure and how to combat it in Part 3 of this Parenting Series.</em></li>
<li><strong>Social Confidence</strong> &#8211; alcohol causes our brain to release dopamine. This is the chemical associated with pleasure, but it also makes you feel confident and powerful. Teens are generally quite self-conscious individuals, and they care a lot about what other people think of them so the perceived confidence that alcohol gives them is like winning a gold medal. Unfortunately, the alcohol also directly impacts the part of the brain associated with good judgment so even if they think they are funny, charming, and totally in control, chances are they aren’t which can actually lead to social shame and embarrassment in the long run.</li>
<li><strong>To feel better</strong> – Linked to the dopamine rush above, teens may look at alcohol as a way to reduce stress and escape the day-to-day mundane events of teenage life. They believe that drinking will make them feel good, without realising it may make them very sick and/or hung-over. In many instances alcohol also ends up creating more stress in the long run, so it becomes a vicious cycle of chasing the impossible.</li>
<li><strong>To save money</strong> &#8211; Some young people binge drink or ‘preload’ to save money but quickly drinking large amounts of alcohol at home/a friend’s house before heading out. Often, they’re already intoxicated before they walk out the front door. By the time they get to where they’re going their judgement is clouded, causing them to continue drinking more drinks which is both dangerous and means they don’t save money after all.</li>
<li><strong>To mask something else</strong> &#8211; If your teen really believes getting drunk every weekend is normal, there could be other factors at play. Perhaps there are other influences in their lives (peers, older siblings, relatives) or problems that you’re unaware of. Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions and show an active interest in your child’s social life so you can get them the support they need to move forward without relying on alcohol.</li>
</ul>
<p>Whatever their reason, the best thing you can do for your teen is to keep the lines of communication open &#8211; always. As discussed previously, research shows that parent-child relationships characterised by emotional warmth and support, trust, involvement and attachment are associated with lower levels of adolescent alcohol misuse long term. If you need help kick starting this sort of discussion, read on:</p>
<h5>Helping our Teens to make smarter choices:</h5>
<ul>
<li>Talk to your teen about alcohol and let them know that the smartest choice they can make is not to drink. If you need to know more on this, <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/parenting-series-part-1-teens-drinking-nz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a><strong>.</strong> Also discuss the potential <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/quiz/my-body/18" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dangers of excessive consumption</a> long term and remind them about the alcohol laws – e.g. drinking in Liquor Ban areas. If they are 18 or older, make sure they know it is a criminal offense to buy/supply alcohol to their underage friends without the express consent of the friend’s parent/guardian.</li>
</ul>


<ul>
<li>Educate them on <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/quiz/your-drink/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">standard drinks</a> and help them to understand how alcohol affects your body and mind. Make sure they <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/standard-drink-calculator" target="_blank" rel="noopener">know exactly what they are drinking</a> at all times</li>
<li>Have a clear set of ‘<a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/parenting-series-part-1-teens-drinking-nz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Family Rules</a>’ and expectations so your teen knows what is expected if they choose to drink. Involve your teen in negotiating these rules to ensure they understand the value of them.</li>
<li>Talk to your teen about <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/quiz/my-body/16" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pacing their alcohol intak</a>e and hydrating regularly with non-alcoholic drinks like water.</li>
<li>Remind them to eat a good meal before and during the drinking occasion – preferably protein &amp; carbohydrate-rich food such as sushi, pasta &amp; pizza etc.</li>
</ul>


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<p>It’ll help slow the rate their body absorbs alcohol and make them feel fuller, so they are likely to drink a bit less. Eating also provides a great distraction and gives your hands something else to do aside from holding a drink!</p>
<ul>
<li>Remind them to be cautious with their drinks, to avoid drinks with high alcohol content (ABV) and to be aware of drink spiking – they shouldn’t take a drink from a stranger unless it is served to them directly by a bartender or similar.</li>
<li>Remind them of the importance of staying with their friends and keeping an eye out for each other.</li>
<li>Talk to them about avoiding risky situations and behaviours such as swimming after drinking or getting into arguments and fights. Emphasise the importance of never drinking and driving or getting into a car with anyone who’s been drinking.</li>
</ul>
<h6 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Note: Teens (and adults) need to be very careful about driving the morning after drinking too. Because our livers can only process approx. 1 standard drink per hour, it’s possible for your blood alcohol content (BAC) to still be elevated the next day.</strong></h6>
<ul>
<li>Prepare your teen in case of an emergency. Talk to them about what to do and where to go for help, as well as how to handle confronting situations. Always make sure they plan ahead and keep some money aside for an Uber home or similar</li>
<li>Encourage them to contact you regularly so you know they’re safe.  Point out that if they update you regularly, you won’t hassle them!</li>
<li>Always get them to tell you who they are with (names and contact details) and where they are staying if they plan to stay over so you can contact them at any stage. Make sure you get more than just their mobile phone number as batteries won’t last forever!</li>
<li>If possible, contact the parents of the people they are with for reassurance and confirmation of the group’s plans for the occasion. Remember taking an interest in your teens plans is not about helicopter parenting, it’s about maintaining a trusting parent/child relationship in line with your <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/parenting-series-part-1-teens-drinking-nz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Family Rules</a></li>
<li>Last but not least, let them know that they can call you at any time of the day or night if they get into trouble, or just need to talk.</li>
</ul>
<p>Binge drinking is by no means unique to our teens and young people but the more we can do to support them now at this hugely influential time of their life the better. Parenting is never an easy task, but never underestimate the impact of positive role modelling and honest conversations about alcohol no matter how young or old your teens are.</p>
<p>If at any stage you are worried about your teens drinking, please seek professional help from your preferred healthcare professional or contact the friendly folk at the <a href="https://alcoholdrughelp.org.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alcohol Helpline</a>. Both have lots of expertise in this area and can point you in the right direction for the support you/your teen needs.</p>
<p>Good luck and keep up the great work. The fact you have read this article through to here shows how much you care.</p>
<p><strong><em>The Alcohol&amp;Me Team</em></strong></p>


Binge drinking and your teen | Alcohol&Me NZ

Navigate teenage drinking with confidence. In part 2 of Alcohol&Me's Parenting Series, get expert tips on when it's okay for your teen to try a drink.

Part 2: Parenting Series- Binge drinking and your teen

ParentTee 9 (pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-5805088) - Alcohol and Me

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Part 1:Parenting Series</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">When is the right time to drink – do you let your teens try it or deny it?</h3>
<p><em>As the parent of a teen, I know first-hand how much the topic of teenage drinking can weigh on your mind. We can’t ignore the fact that our young people are likely to show interest in alcohol at some stage. So, when is it Ok for them to try a drink?</em></p>
<p>Ultimately the answer to that question is up to you as a parent but in Part 1 of this 3-part Parenting Series, we have pulled together some top tips for you to consider.</p>
<p>As parents we should absolutely delay our child’s introduction to drinking alcohol for as long as possible. Until our early 20s, people have an increased sensitivity to alcohol as our bodies are still developing. The human brain, like all your vital organs, is also not fully developed until you are in your mid to late 20s, which means <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/quiz/my-body/17" target="_blank" rel="noopener">regular heavy consumption</a> may result in impaired brain development at what is a critical growth phase. This can have long-term health and wellbeing impacts including issues with learning, memory, planning, thinking, and emotional stability. Their livers will also still be growing which means they are likely to be more “sluggish” in the way they process alcohol vs the healthy adult liver we refer to with our standard drink guidelines.</p>
<p>Talking to your kids about alcohol and setting boundaries and expectations to keep them safe, can help to delay drinking but we recognise this can be a really daunting task for parents. To help with this, we really liked DrinkWise Australia’s 5 Point <em>“DELAY”</em> Plan which offers practical advice on how to be a positive influence and to delay your child’s introduction to alcohol. You can read more about it <a href="https://drinkwise.org.au/wp-content/uploads/DrinkWise-brochure-A4-Kids-and-Alcohol.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> but in a nutshell, here’s what we took from their very helpful recommendations:</p>


<p><strong>D: Discuss the issues</strong></p>
<p>The best thing we can do as parents is educate our teens about the health effects and harm alcohol can cause and encourage them to hold off drinking until they are at least 18.  Research shows that parental provision of alcohol to underage teens (anyone under 18 years old) does not protect them against harmful alcohol consumption.  In fact, there has been evidence to show early introduction may actually lead to increased binging and alcohol-related problems throughout their lives so take time to talk about the fact that you can have plenty of fun without drinking alcohol, regardless of age.</p>
<p>Your teen might say “but all my friends are drinking” but know that most kiwi parents are just as reluctant to let their teens drink as you are. There are also laws regarding the supply of alcohol to minors in NZ that you should both be aware of.  Our Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act sets the minimum legal age for the purchase of alcohol in New Zealand at 18 years, but there is no minimum legal drinking age.</p>


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<p>In other words, although those under 18 are unable to legally purchase alcohol themselves, they are legally permitted to consume alcohol as long as it is provided with consent of their parent or guardian.</p>
<p>It is however a criminal offence for anyone (peers, a friend’s parent, aunty, older cousin, boss etc) to supply alcohol to someone under 18 years old without prior approval from their parent or guardian so be mindful of this if you are ever hosting teen parties at your place.</p>


<p><strong>E: Educate by example</strong></p>
<p>Positive guidance and role modelling is one of the greatest powers we have as parents. Research shows that parents have the single greatest impact on shaping their teens attitude to alcohol and future drinking behaviour, followed by peers and the type of drinking occasion.</p>
<p>Kids are interested in what’s going on around them and even if they don’t appear to be engaged or listening, they will be watching to see how you, their role model(s) use alcohol. They will also observe the boundaries you set in place for yourself – ensuring you have a designated driver when you go out, not drinking on an empty stomach, drinking plenty of water etc. The role alcohol plays in your life will therefore have a major effect on how they conduct themselves so if you don’t want your kid to think drinking to excess is cool and acceptable, demonstrate responsible drinking yourself.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


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<p>They will also observe the way your family and friends behave around alcohol, so if your teen observes a family member or friend behaving poorly in social situations don’t be afraid to discuss it with your teen. Ask your teen what they think about it and what they would do. This makes for a much more informed discussion and avoids another dry old lecture from mum or dad!</p>


<p><strong>L: Listen and engage</strong></p>
<p>Show interest in your teen’s upcoming activities and discuss these together. It gives you a great opportunity to set and agree some clear expectations.  Getting to know their friends, and their friends’ parents can also be an advantage as it enables you to discuss and develop a common position on things like drinking alcohol so that your kids are hearing a strong and united voice.  If they don’t agree with your position, at least they know your views and will be better placed to respect them.</p>
<p>At some stage, your teen may question or challenge you about your own drinking behaviours. If they ask you about alcohol and what it’s like to drink answering truthfully will build trust, especially if you expect the same from them! If they asked about being drunk, don’t glorify intoxication but talk about some of the lessons you have learnt the hard way.</p>


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<p>Ask them how they feel about you (their parents) drinking alcohol?  What attitudes do they have about alcohol? This will help you reflect on your own drinking behaviours, open up communication with your kids and set expectations for you and your teens to act responsibly in the future.</p>


<p><strong>A: A good relationship</strong></p>
<p>Linked to the L step above, keep the lines of communication open with your teen. This can be easier said than done, but research shows that Parent-child relationships characterised by emotional warmth and support, trust, involvement and attachment are associated with lower levels of adolescent alcohol misuse. Be there to support them but don’t be afraid to say ‘no’. As much as you may want to be your teen’s ‘best friend’, it’s more important to be a responsible parent.</p>
<p>Solid relationships will also help you to challenge unfounded statements like “You’re the only Mum who won’t let us drink at a party”. Trust me, most parents don’t support providing alcohol for under-age parties, but if your teenager insists it’s the truth, ask them for the names and numbers of some other parents and have a chat to them directly so they know your views too.</p>


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<p>Also key in establishing and maintaining these relationships is showing your teens that you can enjoy yourself without alcohol. Alcohol should never be the focus of a get together and you should avoid people and places that will have a negative impact on your kids’ attitudes to alcohol. It all comes back to quality role modelling and education early on before their peers and stronger social pressures take hold.</p>


<p><strong>Y: Your expectations</strong></p>
<p>One of the greatest challenges that parents can face is setting boundaries and establishing rules for their teenage children around drinking alcohol. Every family is different, so your boundaries need to be aligned with what’s important to your family and its values. Involving your teen in the development of these expectations is key as it will help them to understand why the rules exist in the first place. They may not like the rules you set, but it is vital that they know what your concerns are and how you can work together to address them as a united “team”. Here are 5 simple steps to help you develop a set of ‘Family Rules’ that work for you:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Do your research</strong> &amp; be aware of your legal obligations &#8211; ensure that you understand the potential for damage to developing bodies, and how early introduction may be linked to issues with alcohol later in life</li>
</ul>


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<ul>
<li><strong>Have a conversation as parents/caregivers first</strong> so you can get alignment on how you want to handle this discussion with your teen. If you can’t get alignment between you as parents/caregivers, consider seeking input from your preferred Healthcare Professional to help guide you.</li>
<li><strong>Sit down with your teen and explain yourself</strong>.  Tell them about the risks involved and your concerns about their physical, psychological and social health, and ensure they also understand your legal obligations. They may not agree, but at least they will understand why you want to create the ‘Family rules’ in the first place</li>
<li><strong>Negotiate and agree </strong>a simple set of ‘Family Rules” together with your teen. This should also include clear consequences for when/if the Family rules are broken. These rules may need to be re-negotiated from time to time as your teen matures so you can make sure they stay relevant and engaging.</li>
<li><strong>Reward good behaviour</strong> – give credit where credit is due and recognise your teen when they show maturity and follow the ‘Family Rules’. Just like when they were young kids, what we focus on and commend grows stronger so nurture the behaviours you want to see more of in your teen with attention, praise, quality time together or maybe a simple hug/high five.</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>At the end of the day, your number one motivation as a parent is to keep your kids safe and healthy so when it comes to alcohol remember the risks and be responsible – even if it makes you unpopular. Your teens brain and body will thank you for it eventually!!</p>
<p><strong><em>The Alcohol&amp;Me Team</em></strong></p>
<h6 style="text-align: center;">NOTE: ALCOHOL&amp;ME DOES NOT CONDONE UNDERAGE DRINKING IN ANY WAY. THAT SAID, WE CAN NOT IGNORE THE FACT THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LIKELY TO SHOW INTEREST IN ALCOHOL AND DRINKING AT SOME STAGE SO THESE ARTICLES ARE DESIGNED TO HELP PARENTS BETTER PREPARE THEMSELVES TO HAVE INFORMED, TIMELY CONVERSIONS WITH THEIR YOUNG PEOPLE AS THEY SEE FIT.</h6>


When is the right time to let your teen drink? | Alcohol&Me NZ

Guide to Teenage Drinking: Part 1 of Alcohol&Me's Parenting Series. Learn expert tips on delaying alcohol introduction and fostering a healthy relationship with your teen.

Part 1: Parenting Series- Do you let your teens try it or deny it?

Is 4.6 alcohol a lot? - Alcohol and Me

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Debunking a myth: Not all Beers are born equal</h3>
<p><em>Did you know that not all beers are born equal? This month we have teamed up with our mates at Mac’s to illustrate how there are not only different beers to suit different tastes but also beers to suit different occasions so read on to become a beer aficionado.</em></p>
<p>It is a common, long held misunderstanding that beer is beer but there is actually a lot more to it than that and we are not just talking about colour and taste. We see this regularly when we facilitate our Alcohol&amp;Me workshops in workplaces around NZ. People who think that because in their words, they “don’t drink high octane spirits” that they are drinking safely but this is not always the case. As an old campaign from the Ministry of Health suggests – <em>‘It doesn’t matter what you’re drinking, it is how you’re drinking’</em> that impacts your health and wellbeing both now and in the future. This is why we’re so keen to debunk the myth that all beers are born equal.</p>
<p>Before we begin, it is super important to understand the following key facts. If you remember nothing else from this article, please let it be these 5 facts:</p>


<h5>FACT 1:</h5>
<p>A healthy adult liver can only process 10g of pure alcohol per hour and there is absolutely NO way to speed this process up. Yes water, food, medication, your size etc can make us feel the <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/quiz/my-body/8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">effects of the alcohol differently</a> but they DON’T speed up the processing of the alcohol itself.</p>
<h5></h5>
<h5>FACT 2:</h5>
<p>One <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/are-standard-drinks-gobbledygook" target="_blank" rel="noopener">standard drink</a> is an alcoholic beverage that contains 10g of pure alcohol. It is not necessarily 1 glass or bottle.</p>
<h5></h5>
<h5>FACT 3:</h5>
<p>The number of standard drinks in your favourite drink will be printed on the label so you have all the information you need to make an informed choice right at your fingertips … quite literally! If not check out our <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/standard-drink-calculator" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Standard Drink Calculator.</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


<h5>FACT 4:</h5>
<p>The standard drinks information is telling you how long it will take your body to process the alcohol in that bottle or can. For example, if the label says 1.3 standard drinks, which means it will take you <a href="https://www.alcoholandme.org.nz/articles/understanding-that-label-on-your-drink-1-3-stds-1-3-hours-to-process" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1.3 hours to process the alcohol in that one bottle</a>.</p>
<h5></h5>
<h5>FACT 5:</h5>
<p>As the ABV (Alcohol by volume or the strength of the alcohol) goes up, the volume of a standard drink decreases and that is why we can drink 330ml of a 4% beer and only 155ml of an 8% beer before we hit the 1 standard drink mark.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Knowing what a standard drink is and that your body can only process 1 standard drink per hour is the key to smarter drinking regardless of what you drink.</p>


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Is 4.6 alcohol a lot?

<p>So now you know the facts, let’s have a look at some of the beers in the Mac’s Family to give you an idea of how much you’re really drinking so you can choose the beer that is right for both your taste buds and the drinking occasion:</p>


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<h5><strong>Stunt Double</strong></h5>
<p><strong>ABV:</strong> Less than 0.5% &#8211; 1x 330ml bottle/can will take your liver less than 16mins (0.26 hours) to process</p>
<p><strong>Flavour:</strong> This bright and refreshing golden ale has been brewed to have less than 0.5% alcohol.</p>
<p><strong>Occasion:</strong> Stunt Double is a great drink choice for someone who likes beer but wants to cut back on the amount of alcohol they drink for however long or short that period may be. It means you can still enjoy that beer taste with your mates at any time of the day and it definitely makes for a nice change from the typical non-alcoholic offerings of soft drink and juice.</p>
<p>You could also try alternating one of these with your usual beer of choice next time you are out and about, but it’s important to remember that Stunt Double still contains a small amount of alcohol. Either way, remember to keep hydrated with water too – your body and mind will thank you for it tomorrow!</p>


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Mac's Stunt Double

<h5><strong>Mid Vicious</strong></h5>
<p><strong>ABV:</strong> 2.5% &#8211; 1x 330ml bottle/can will take your liver 42mins (0.7 hours) to process</p>
<p><strong>Flavour:</strong> Like a Rockstar with a day job – this beer is mid-strength with a subtle fruity hop flavour. Judges have said in the past that Mid Vicious provides a good use of bitterness, balance and gentle flavour which is why you will find it at the refreshing end of the Mac’s flavour scale.</p>
<p><strong>Occasion:</strong> As a mid-strength beer, Mid Vicious is extremely session-able. At just 0.7 standard drinks per bottle/can it is a great option for pacing yourself and lasting the distance in at longer social events. It is also a great option for a lunchtime catch up with mates, but don’t forget to keep track of your drinks so you can still get on with your weekend “To Do List” afterwards.</p>


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Mac's Mid Vicious

<h5><strong>Mac’s Gold</strong></h5>
<p><strong>ABV:</strong> 4% &#8211; so 1x 330ml bottle/can will take your liver 1 hour (60mins) to process</p>
<p><strong>Flavour:</strong> The talisman of the Mac’s family. Mac’s Gold is a naturally brewed, all malt lager with hints of citrus and caramel sweetness. It also has a super crisp, clean aftertaste which is why it proudly anchors the Mac’s flavour scale at the refreshingly, session-able end.</p>
<p><strong>Occasion:</strong> At 4%, Mac’s Gold is a smart beer choice because there’s 1 standard drink in each 330ml bottle/can. That makes it super easy to keep track of how many beers you’ve had and how long it will take your body to process them. Remember 1 standard drink takes 1 hour to process so it’s as simple as 1:1! Mac’s Gold is your ultimate allrounder for a variety of occasions from chilling with mates at the beach to a first date.</p>


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Mac's Gold Lager

<h5><strong>Black Mac</strong></h5>
<p><strong>ABV:</strong> 4.8% &#8211; 1x 330ml bottle/can will take your liver 72mins (1.2 hours) to process</p>
<p><strong>Flavour:</strong> A smooth porter with hints of chocolate, licorice and caramel Black Mac sits at the furthest end of the Mac’s flavour scale – meaning it’s made for savouring at special occasions.</p>
<p><strong>Occasion:</strong> This porter style beer likes to be paired with the finer things – so why not enjoy it with blue cheese and crackers or a nice red steak. If you have a sweet tooth, Black Mac is also pretty good with a piece of chocolate brownie. Eating doesn’t stop you from getting drunk but a full stomach will help you to feel the effects of the alcohol less so your body and mind will thank you for it! Eating also helps you to space out your drinks over the occasion so your liver can keep up.</p>


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Black Mac

<h5><strong>Hop Rocker </strong></h5>
<p><strong>ABV:</strong> 5% &#8211; 1x 330ml bottle/can will take your liver 1.3 hours (78mins) to process</p>
<p><strong>Flavour:</strong> This pilsner style beer has hoppy bursts of flavour, bitter notes and citrus aromas which is why you will find Hop Rocker anchored at the midpoint on the flavour scale perfectly balanced between quenching and savouring.</p>
<p><strong>Occasion:</strong> At 5% ABV, this is a beer that is well suited to after works drinks, BBQs and BYO dinners with friends. A great accompaniment to the jokes and crazy yarns that usually happen when groups come together in the weekends, this beer is a great accompaniment for some relaxed downtime   whatever that looks like for you.</p>


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Mac's Hop Rocker

<p>Some other 4.6% &#8211; 5% ABV Mac’s options that you might also like to try for similar occasions are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Rockaway (4.7% ABV, 1.2 hours to process) &#8211; This light Pacific style Pale Ale is brewed with lager and crystal malts, plus 30% rolled wheat. Mac’s Rockaway has a faint haze, creamy foam and light notes of tropical citrus which is why you will find it at the refreshing end of the Mac’s Flavour scale.</li>
<li>Ultra Violet (4.6% ABV, 1.2 hours to process) – A hoppy pale ale with tropical fruit and citrus flavours, easy drinking with a smooth bitterness and crisp clean finish. Added bonus – it has 50% less carbs than the other beers in the current Mac’s range.</li>
<li>Magic Hour (5% ABV, 1.3 hours to process)<strong> &#8211; </strong>A Hazy Pale Ale with a light, cloudy golden appearance.  Magic Hour has a biscuity background with a fresh hoppy taste and aroma.</li>
<li>Mac’s Interstate (5% ABV, 1.3 hours to process)- A take on a classic American Pale Ale, brewed to bring out punchy citrus and pine notes, it’s a beer that is full of punchy hop flavour. Definitely a beer to savour and enjoy.</li>
<li>For something a bit different why not try a Mac’s Seltzer (5% ABV, 1.3 hours to process) – available in 3 flavours (Apple &amp; Pear, Strawberry &amp; Rhubarb and Passionfruit &amp; Mango)</li>
</ul>


<h5><strong>Apparition </strong></h5>
<p><strong>ABV:</strong> 5.6% &#8211; 1x 330ml bottle/can will take your liver 1.5 hours (90mins) to process</p>
<p><strong>Flavour:</strong> This Hazy IPA has a fruity burst of tropical and citrus flavours followed by an eerily smooth finish. Apparition is characterised by its juicy flavours and smooth bitterness which combined with its higher alcohol content is why you will find it at the “indulgence” end of the Mac’s Flavour scale.</p>
<p><strong>Occasion: </strong> This is a great beer to treat yourself with at the end of a big week. Being higher in alcohol means this is not the sort of beer that you’ll drink by the dozen, but it would be totally at home curled up in front of the fire (indoor or outdoor) with friends and family. Because this is a beer to savour not skull, it allows you to slow the pace at which you drink which in turn allows your liver to keep up with the processing it needs to do to metabolize the alcohol. Remember, the adult liver can only process 1 standard drink (10g of pure alcohol) per hour and the more you drink, the more your body and mind will be affected.</p>


macs-apparition

Macs Apparition

<p>Some other Mac’s beers in the over 5% ABV category that you might like to try at your next celebration include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Three Wolves (5.1% ABV, 78 mins to process)<strong> &#8211; </strong>An elaborate Pale Ale bursting with citrus and tropical notes as well as a balanced bitterness. This beer will give your tastebuds something to howl about.</li>
<li>Green Beret (5.4% ABV, 84 mins/1.4 hours to process) &#8211; Powerful and precise, this Indian Pale Ale is an explosion of hoppy aroma &amp; flavour. Green Beret is a well-balanced beer with a complex and rewarding flavour profile which means it’s well paired with the strong flavours of spicy and rich dishes.</li>
</ul>
<p>As you can see the differences between beers are huge. Even beers that are the same strength (ABV) or style can have very unique characteristics just like those who choose to drink them so when it comes to making your own drinking choices #youdrinkyou.</p>
<p>They might all be beers in brown bottles or cans but they are definitely not all born equal so take some time to educate yourself on what you are drinking and always make the beer choice that is right for the occasion so you can last the distance in style.</p>
<p>We would love to hear what your go to beers are for each of your drinking occasions so feel free to email us at <a href="mailto:alcoholandme@lionco.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alcoholandme@lionco.com</a>.</p>
<p><strong>The Alcohol&amp;Me Team</strong></p>


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<h3 style="text-align: center;">No pressure, mate: New Kiwi research around drinking</h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you&#8217;re tired of hearing, &#8220;come on, mate&#8221;, when passing up the opportunity to drink, you might be in luck. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Encouraging new research has suggested that this type of peer pressure is becoming a thing of the past, with four out of five Kiwis now adopting a more flexible or &#8216;part-time&#8217; approach to drinking and embracing</span><a href="https://www.theurbanlist.com/nz/a-list/non-alcoholic-drinks-nz" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> low and alcohol- free alternatives.  </span></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This research was commissioned by </span><a href="https://www.speights.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Speights,</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> New Zealand&#8217;s largest beer brand, to celebrate the launch of the</span><a href="https://www.speights.co.nz/zero" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Speights Summit Zero</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, their first nonalcoholic beer.  </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to</span><a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/wellbeing/300471291/the-rise-of-the-flexible-drinker-more-of-us-are-saying-no-to-booze-but-are-we-still-being-pressured-to-drink" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Speight&#8217;s research</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, 77% of Kiwi blokes want to alternate between alcoholic and non-alcohol drinks when socialising with friends. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While 30% of drinkers still feel pressured to consume alcohol in certain social situations, an overwhelming 91% of New Zealand men reported that they wouldn&#8217;t mind if their friends didn&#8217;t drink alcohol on a night out, suggesting that the social pressures and norms around our drinking habits are evolving for the better. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Furthermore, the study also showed that 65% of Kiwis now feel entirely comfortable not drinking on a night out, even if others are consuming alcohol, suggesting that sober socialising is becoming more &#8216;acceptable&#8217; and less intimidating. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Additional findings from the research have shown: </span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">80% of Kiwis say that they would like to alternate between drinking alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks when meeting friends </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Over half of Kiwis say that their approach to drinking has become more flexible over the past three terms. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">84% of younger respondents, aged 18-25, will often alternate between alcoholic and alcohol-free beverages on a big night out, compared to 76% of older persons aged 45-60. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Social occasions where Kiwis choose this flexible approach range from nights in the pub to weddings, date nights, romantic meals out and celebrations such as a stop sign and engagement. </span></li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With a part-time approach to drinking gaining popularity in New Zealand and more Kiwis embracing the balance between alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, the shift in attitudes is encouraging for those seeking a more sober lifestyle or moderation in their drinking. This positive development could lead to a more balanced and inclusive social drinking culture for all Kiwis.</span></p>
<p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Notes:</span></em></p>
<ul>
<li><em>Speight&#8217;s Zero is &lt;0.05% ABV</em></li>
<li><em>Consumer research source: 3Gem on behalf of Lion NZ, August 2021, sample size 1,000 male/female New Zealanders aged 18 – 65</em></li>
</ul>


No pressure mate | New research on non-alcoholic drinking in NZ

New research reveals the new Kiwi norms are favouring non-alcoholic options. Check out the research here with Alcohol&Me.