A Boy and a Bottle

By Luke Wallis

Research suggests that men aged between 18-24 are the largest demographic experience alcohol-related issues.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics found that 69.4 percent of men suffer from Alcohol intoxication disorder, with 9.3 percent having some form of alcohol dependence.

‘At my worst I would have at least 11 or 12 beers every weeknight and I wouldn’t think anything of it. I only started realising it was a problem when I would have to rearrange the next day’s plans so often due to the hangovers.’

Luke Piesse is a 20 year old alcoholic who suffers from an addictive personality.

The National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines outline that any more than four standard drinks are considered binge drinking.

On his addictive personality, Piesse said: ‘I’ve always gone hard at everything I’ve done; surfing, studying and skating. Unfortunately, the same mindset applied to drinking. I found that drinking initially helped with my social anxiety, but then I couldn’t go to a party sober, and even had to have a few drinks before going to the pub.’

‘When I tried to stop I started getting the shakes and got headaches. My anxiety got pretty insane so I struggled at university. Then I got addicted to stimulants to make sure I was focusing on the work. Then I eventually dropped out due to the reliance on those.’

Asked about the current state of his addiction and mental health, Piesse said: ‘In the past year I’ve had my ups and downs, with sober periods and periods of going too hard, but I think I’m heading in the right direction.’

‘They say once an addict, always an addict, but I’m really hoping I can change that.’