Sober in the Country is changing the narrative of booze in the bush.
Saturday 22 February was OK2SAYNO Day, an initiative by Sober in the Country Ltd that highlights the challenges of alcohol culture in rural and remote communities.
In many rural areas, alcohol plays a significant role in social connection, but research shows that rural Australians experience higher rates of alcohol-related harm compared to those in metropolitan areas.
Factors such as isolation, fewer support services, and social expectations can make it harder for individuals to moderate their drinking or seek help when needed.
#OK2SAYNO is about shifting these expectations and making it socially acceptable for people to decline a drink—without pressure or judgement.
Drinking culture is ingrained into Australian bush life, with Aussies living in remote and very remote areas (40%) and outer regional areas (39%) 1.4 times more likely as those living in major cities (29%) to consume alcohol at a risky level.
Despite this, Australians living in remote areas also face more barriers when seeking addiction support, due to a lack of alcohol treatment services, long travel times to those available, and lack of anonymity in small towns.
With new data from The Banyans Healthcare reporting a 43% increase in enquiries presenting for alcohol addiction year-onyear, there remains a dangerous underlying trend of careless drinking and overconsumption across the nation, with regional Aussies most at risk. In line with ‘Okay2SayNoDay’, addiction experts are calling on regional and remote Australians to drink in moderation, support each other and remember that it is ‘okay to say no’ to booze.
Creating healthier conversations around alcohol is essential for the wellbeing of rural communities. You can learn more and access resources at: www.soberinthecountry.org/ok2sayno/