Alcohol time bomb set to explodeJill Stark
Australia's binge-drinking culture is a "ticking time bomb" threatening to overload the public health system within decades, health experts have warned.
A rise in dangerous drinking across all age groups, class boundaries and cultural lines has prompted calls for action.
Top researchers predict Australia will see a big rise in chronic diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver, cancers and brain disorders in the next 20 years.
Addiction doctors say they are seeing a growing trend of drinkers as young as 18 suffering tremors, sweats and even seizures. Many are drinking a bottle of spirits a day, with experts predicting a rise in brain-damage cases.
Those in the field have accused governments of failing to tackle the crisis, citing generous political donations from the alcohol industry and huge tax revenues as factors behind the complacency.
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