A sample population of Australia's young adults were part of the study to determine their drinking behavior as conducted by the RMIT University. The study aimed to identify the role of alcohol in today's society and possible alternatives to the social activity. The study revealed that there are generally four types of drinking.

The initiator type comprised of 40 percent of those surveyed. This type is classified with the "life of the party" behavior. Some specific personality traits are identified as drinkers who like to be an expert on alcohol brands and know which places are best to drink and love to drink to let loose with spontaneity.

The moderator type is a more well-adjusted type of drinker who are made up 26 percent of the survey. Particular behaviors exhibited by this type are assertion that one can finish a drink or two then just say no. They are more self sufficient and rarely need help in alcohol-induced situations and most likely observed drinking at home.

The follower types are adherent drinkers who cannot control their drinking. The outstanding qualities of this type of drinkers are more prone to drink at home with friends and family, can be influenced by social, cultural and peer pressures with regard to drinking and generally more easy going than the initiator type. This type involved 13 percent of those surveyed.

The last type of drinker is the protector. This type of drinker is usually the designated driver looking out for others when socializing, have no problem saying no to alcohol and are controlled with their actions. This type comprised 21 percent of those who surveyed.

Such observations show us that there are new conversations that should be looked into with regard to alcohol drinking. There is a shift to looking at drinking as a cultural and collective choice as opposed to blaming the individual.

The research was funded by VicHealth and led by RMIT's Associate Professor Mike Reid. It was undertaken in two parts - an in depth interview with a community of drinkers online and a survey of 2,500 Victorians. Hopefully, it can shed new light as to why excessive drinking is becoming more prevalent in today's Australian society.