Hazardous drinking
The 2016/17 New Zealand Health Survey showed that around 748,000 adults (or 19.5% of the population aged 15 years+) were classified as hazardous drinkers. More than one-third (39.5%) of 18-24 year old past-year drinkers were classified as hazardous drinkers.
Many of these will be at risk of having or developing an addiction.
Dependence / addiction
There is a lack of information on the number of New Zealanders with a diagnosis of alcohol dependence. In 2006, it was estimated that just over 4% of the population in their lifetime will experience alcohol addiction and 11% will experience alcohol abuse.[8]
In 2006, it was estimated that 4.2% of the population will report symptoms which represent alcohol abuse or dependence.