The Wagga tradie is a recovering alcoholic who was drinking by the age of 13 and pretty much every day by 17, a pattern that continued for more than a decade.

Commissioned by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, the Annual Alcohol Poll 2019: Attitudes and Behaviours Report also reveals that people living outside major capital cities are more likely than those in metropolitan areas to be concerned about alcohol-related problems associated with excess drinking.

The figures show that 20 per cent of drinkers living outside major capital cities are more likely than those living in metropolitan areas - 14 per cent - to consume six or more standards drinks on a typical occasion.

Mr Harmer said he began drinking alcohol as a way to cope with self-esteem issues and feels the massive increase in social media use is having an impact on people's mental health.

"The problem with drinking because you are struggling with your self-esteem is the alcohol makes you feel even worse, so your self-esteem suffers even more. It becomes a cycle," he said.

Mr Harmer also wonders whether some sporting clubs are also being used as an excuse to drink alcohol.

"I sometimes say they can be drinking clubs that occasionally play sport," he said.

"It can be easy to get a bit caught up in that."

When Mr Harmer was 28, he decided it was time to seek help with alcohol. By that age, he had also used drugs.

"I did hit a couple of rock bottoms," he said.

He said the alcohol consumption was also financially costly and could add up to hundreds of dollars a week.

Mr Harmer was able to enter a program in Sydney, where he spent three weeks before heading to Byron Bay for two months in a sanctuary.

It will be two years in June since he sought treatment and Mr Harmer is sober and getting on with his life.

He is married with two young children, working hard and pursuing his passion for motorcycles around family commitments.

But he does worry that people seeking help in regional areas may face lengthy waits.

"I've heard some people have had to wait up to six months," Mr Harmer said.

"It was all pretty prompt for me. I'm not sure at the time I could have waited for six weeks, let alone six months for help."

Mr Harmer entered the program within about three weeks of deciding to seek help.

He said both his mental health and general health are now much better.

"I still have ups and downs, like everybody, but they are a lot easier without the piss," Mr Harmer said.

The Murrumbidgee Local Health District's director of mental health and drug and alcohol Robyn Manzie was also not surprised by the poll results.

"The findings are consistent with what we know of alcohol consumption in MLHD, which is higher than state average," Ms Manzie said.

"Anyone seeking help for their alcohol consumption should call Accessline on freecall 1800 800 944."