Book Review: The Drinking Game

In The Drinking Game, prominent political and investigative journalist Guyon Espiner takes aim at New Zealand’s heavy drinking culture and “how big business, the media and politicians shape the way you drink”.

Guyon writes from the perspective of a recently reformed “problem drinker”, weaving his personal story into the narrative. A self-confessed “heavy” and “hazardous” drinker – yet careful not to use the socially taboo term “alcoholic” – Guyon lays out his love affair and ultimate divorce from drinking.

A child of the 70s and teenager of the 80s, Guyon’s drinking career started aged 11 and was hitting its straps aged 15, before calling time aged 48. Pulling the pin after 30-plus years, Guyon lays out the social expectations, marketing campaigns, and political lobbying that culminates in the perfect storm and “normalisation” of New Zealand’s drinking culture.

Guyon describes drinking in New Zealand culture as “deeply ingrained in our food and cultural traditions”. And about the amount of alcohol consumed: “…about 20 per cent of drinkers in New Zealand, nearly a million of us, are ‘hazardous drinkers’.” The word “hazardous” is not used lightly as Guyon explains there is a screening test, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), designed to identify risky or hazardous consumption of alcohol.

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ACROSS

1 The good oil on why the pen won’t write (3-3)

4 Foolishly give with a ring and you’ll be sorry (8)

10 They went before dance didn’t start with all sorts of bother (9)

11 It’s all in Latin music (5)

12 Zephyr heading west (8)

13 Tank-top? Right time in true disarray (6)

15 Part of the foot that might nip but not quietly (4)

17 It’s required of a fellow today, rightly starting to adapt (9)

20 Come to light with nothing down under? (5,4)

21 Can it secure a place for the Arabs possibly (4)

24 Quite blue and I would shortly be wanting alms desperately (6)

25 Old entertainer was somehow right with silent movies to start with (8)

28 How you might get to flounder in bed? (5)

29 Could fortunes be realised from these remains? (3,6)

30 About popping the question - it’s relaxing (8)

31 Station where you and I enter for the charge (6)

DOWN

1 Swap - it’s bad but results in less to pay (6,2)

2 Such agreements initially play on these deeds (5)

3 Could he become lean more quickly? (6)

5 Trick one into sounds of remorse felt (4)

6 Sent wild about the corrosion but puts into care (8)

7 It’s tripe! Rent is crazy! How do I make sense of that? (9)

8 If you are, is it going to be fine? (6)

9 Potter’s work space? (4,5)

14 Being so idle, I can’t tell the difference (9)

16 Wags - it’s highly strung and something of a cheat (4,5)

18 Silly fool with a raging lust goes on strike? (8)

19 Looks up to the wrong sides - needs oil in the mix (8)

22 Some squawking parrot I detect rising produces issues (6)

23 It’s a feature of the side (6)

26 Engross the plate holder (5)

27 Shock from bats soaring (4)

Guyon examines the symbiotic ecosystem of politics, media, advertising, and the alcohol lobby. His experience as a political reporter based in the Parliamentary Press Gallery, reporting for TV3 and TVNZ, has provided him with inside knowledge on how the politics and machinations of alcohol lobbyists works. He paints a grim picture, highlighting a permissive drinking environment where alcohol is “highly available and heavily consumed”, and the likelihood of tightening of laws governing alcohol controls (eg, purchase age and acceptable percentage of alcohol in an RTD).

The book also delves into the health effects of consumption, the impacts on the Māori and female populations, and the insidious creep of “alcohol for any occasion or environment”.

“Alcohol is always there. Picnics, parties, and concerts. Births, deaths, and marriages. Sport, culture, and the office. Finding work. Losing work. Celebrations and commiserations…”

Guyon details some horrifying statistics on the cause and effect of alcohol use and how it impacts health, wealth, professional and personal relationships. He stops short of examining his own personal relationships, which he references in complimentary terms.

The catalyst for him to stop drinking was a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, along with attendant warnings and life expectancy reduction. To reduce the volume of insulin dosage, Guyon abstained from sugar and carbohydrates – which was lifechanging. This in turn made him realise that he could make such a radical change – to stop drinking – which he did with relative ease. The most difficult aspect was the weight of expectation to drink, and consequent explanation in drinking situations (of which there seem to be many).

The Drinking Game is an information-heavy and thoughtprovoking read for every New Zealander.

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