From 5 to 11 May 2025, all of Austria is all about alcohol consumption. The “Austrian Dialogue Week Alcohol” brings a variety of free events – online and offline – and invites the population to reflect on their drinking behavior: how much alcohol do I drink? What are the advantages of reduction and how can it be possible to drink less?
In a society in which alcohol is omnipresent, problematic consumption often remains undetected – and the topic of alcohol addiction is a taboo. This is exactly where the dialogue week comes in. She wants to inform, educate and create space for exchange about alcohol.
“Less alcohol not only improves physical and mental health, but also strengthens social relationships and relieves financially,” says Claudia Neumayer stickler, chair of the conference of social security institutions. “It is worth questioning your own consumption deliberately – because less alcohol means more quality of life for everyone.”
Alcohol consumption in Austria: health risks and social change
Around 370,000 people in Austria are considered alcohol -dependent (5 percent), another 10 percent drink to a level of health. In total, around one million Austrians are affected by risky alcohol consumption.
After nicotine, alcohol is the substance with the highest disease burden. There is no harmless consumption: the risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and mental illnesses increases with the amount of alcohol consumption.
“Alcohol is deeply anchored in our everyday culture – that’s why it takes an open discussion and more conscious use,” says Lisa Brunner, chairwoman of the Austrian ARGE addiction prevention. “Our goal is to support a social change: away from thoughtless consumption, to reflecting decisions. This also means taking support if you want to drink or stop less.”
No alcohol is “safe”
There is no safe amount of alcohol. This means that even small quantities can damage – albeit to a lesser extent.
The risk of physical and mental illnesses (including cancer, cardiovascular diseases and depression) increases with the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption.
The decisive factor is that alcohol consumption lies on a risk account: with increasing amounts and frequency, the risk of health impairments increases. The development of a dependency disease also becomes more likely.
“Knowledge helps to take responsibility,” emphasizes Dr. Klaus Ropin, head of the healthy Austria fund. “With the dialogue week, we create a room for argument about alcohol in and for all of Austria – factual, inviting and at eye level.”
Wide offer for everyone-from online kick-off to advice on site
The start of the dialogue week will take place on Monday, May 5, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the form of a free online event-with exciting impulse lectures and discussions.
Numerous offers will follow nationwide throughout the week: from information events to workshops to individual advice – for young people, parents, companies, teachers, specialists in healthcare and all interested parties.
Digital offers: self -test, quiz and a digital reduction program
Under www.dialogwoche-alkohol.at Find not only the full event calendar, but also helpful tools such as the anonymous alcohol self-check, a quiz, tips for “no” and the innovative digital self-help program “alkcoach.at”. It is the first of its kind in Austria.
The alcohol dialogue week takes place for the fifth time this year. It is an initiative of the Austrian ARGE addiction prevention in 2025 in cooperation with the umbrella organization of social security institutions and the Fund Healthy Austria / Health Austria GmbH.