Are Brits changing their views on alcohol?
Check out our latest survey results to find out whether views on alcohol are shifting.
Given the choice between reaching for a robust Rioja or politely declining one, you may be surprised with how fellow Brits may react.
Like the varied colours of beer, which seemingly need their own colour wheel, our beliefs and attitudes around alcohol fizzle across the spectrum. And these beliefs, sometimes born of influences from family and friends to the culture at large, may be shifting.
More than one in five Brits (21%) say they don’t drink alcohol, according to our latest report surveying 1,587 Brits who drink alcohol compared with 417 who don’t. Footnote [1] And nearly two-thirds (62%) drink the NHS recommended 14 units or less per week.
Whether we’re becoming more aware of our health (physical and financial) or simply changing how we socialise, drinking less may have a positive impact. And not just on the dance moves we think we've nailed, but also on our overall health, which could impact our finances from our monthly budget to our health insurance options.
In this article, you’ll find:
What is the maximum number of units you should drink in a week?
No more than 14 units of alcohol a week, spread across three days or more, according to the NHS. Ultimately, however, there isn’t a wholly safe level of drinking. But staying within the NHS recommendations lowers your risk of hurting your health.Footnote [2]
The thing is – do you know what a unit means or looks like? With so many different types of alcoholic drinks, coming in every shape and size bottle, it’s tricky to keep track.
“One unit,” says the NHS, “equals 10ml or 8g of pure alcohol, which is around the amount of alcohol the average adult can process in an hour. This means that within an hour there should be, in theory, little or no alcohol left in the blood of an adult, although this will vary from person to person.”Footnote [3]
But since the number of units in a drink is based on the size of the drink, as well as its alcohol strength, it’s easy to lose track.
35% of those who drink alcohol agree that “a lot of people don’t realise how many units of alcohol are in their drinks” and 31% believe that “a lot of people don’t know the number of units of alcohol the NHS recommends.”
What’s a unit of alcohol?
Just over one in five (21%) of those who drink knew that 14 units is the maximum recommended amount to drink per week with 62% thinking it's a lower amount (13 units or less) and nearly one in five (17%) thinking it's a higher amount (15 units or more).Footnote [1]
It may be useful to think of units like this:Footnote [3]
- 1 unit = single small shot of spirits (25ml, ABV 40%)
- 1.5 units = alcopop (275ml, ABV 5.5%)
- 1.5 units = small glass of red/white/rosé wine (125ml, ABV 12%)
- 1.7 units = bottle of lager/beer/cider (330ml, ABV 5%)
- 2 units = pint of lower-strength lager/beer/cider (ABV 3.6%)
- 2.1 units = standard glass of red/white/rosé wine (175ml, ABV 12%)
- 2.4 units = can of lager/beer/cider (440ml, ABV 5.5%)
- 3 units = pint of higher-strength lager/beer/cider (ABV 5.2%)
- 3 units = large glass of red/white/rosé wine (250ml, ABV 12%)
And if crunching numbers isn’t your ideal when having a tipple, then check out our alcohol units calculator.
More than half (56%) of Brits who drink believe they have 1-10 units per week. Footnote [1] And while fewer than half of men (49%) think they have 1-10 units per week, 64% of women believe they average this amount per week. Footnote [1]
Why (and where) do people drink alcohol?
More than two out of five Brits who drink (43%) say they feel relaxed while drinking, but one in ten (10%) regret drinking alcohol the next day. Footnote [1] But, based on our survey, the five main reasons for drinking alcohol are: Footnote [1]
- to relax (39%)
- to be social (35%)
- to treat themselves (32%)
- to enjoy it (29%)
- to celebrate life events (27%)
For Brits who drink, it seems the top five places to enjoy them are: Footnote [1]
- at a pub (46%)
- on holiday (44%)
- at celebrations (birthdays, weddings) (40%)
- at restaurants (39%)
- at a bar (35%)
Are attitudes to alcohol changing?
Asked whether the amount of alcohol they drink changed in recent years, of those who drink, 47% of Brits admit it stayed the same while 34% believe it decreased. Footnote [1] Only 11% believe their alcohol drinking increased.
If attitudes around alcohol are changing, particularly towards less drinking, it seems there may be a few reasons for those who don’t drink: Footnote [1]
- to stay healthier (27%)
- rising cost of alcohol (24%)
- more aware of the effects of alcohol on the body (23%)
- feel less pressure to drink socially to ‘fit in’ (21%)
- people are more supportive of decisions to stop or reduce drinking (19%)
And, of those who currently drink, nearly half (48%) plan to cut down their drinking in the next year with more than three-fifths (61%) of 18–24-year-olds and nearly 70% of those aged 25-34 planning to do so. Footnote [1] When asked why they plan on drinking less, top reasons include: Footnote [1]
- saving money (34%)
- being physically healthier (34%)
- losing weight (27%)
- worrying about the physical effects of alcohol (20%)
- wanting to exercise more (19%)
With recent government proposals making alternatives to alcoholic drinks more widely available, encouraging uptake of alcohol-free drinks, Footnote [4] our survey found that 22% (of those who drink) never drink 0% alcohol products Footnote [1]. While nearly one-fifth (19%) believe 0% drinks are overpriced, nearly as many (19%) think they’re important to have available. 16% think there need to be more 0% options in bars or restaurants and 14% think these drinks give a healthier option. Footnote [1]
Health benefits of reducing alcohol
Enjoying alcohol with friends, family and community, is a time-honoured tradition going back centuries. We’ve learned, however, that in addition to drinking responsibly, reducing our drinking could have a positive impact on our health. From short-term benefits (like saving money and boosting your energy) to long-term benefits (like lowering blood pressure), changing drinking habits can build up your physical, mental, and financial health.
Aviva’s Medical Director, Dr Doug Wright
In addition to feeling better in the morning (we’ve been there), drinking less alcohol could mean having: Footnote [2]
- better looking skin
- more energy
- help with weight management
- better mood, memory, and quality of sleep
- lower cholesterol levels
- lower risk of
o stroke
o hypertension
o cancer
o liver disease
If you’re exploring how to cut down on alcohol, check out the NHS’ Better Health initiative with eight tips on how to get moving.
Insight into choosing not to drink
Of those Brits who don’t drink alcohol, their top five reasons (neck and neck) include:Footnote [1]
- feeling healthier being sober (26%)
- feeling happier being sober (24%)
- not liking the taste of alcohol (23%)
- wanting to be healthy as they grow older (23%)
- not liking how people behave when drunk (22%)
With nearly three-fifths (59%) of non-drinkers believing that those around them are supportive and accommodating, this may suggest that attitudes around drinking are shifting. Particularly as half (50%) of our non-drinking respondents say they “never” feel judged for their decision and “everyone is really supportive.” Footnote [1] More than half of the people surveyed who don't drink say it has been longer than a year since they last drank alcohol (52%). Footnote [1]
And with nearly two-fifths (39%) admitting they are “very open with the fact” that they don’t drink alcohol, only 16% believe that there’s stigma attached to not drinking alcohol.
If you’re thinking about cutting down on drinking or becoming sober, remember to get medical advice if you have physical withdrawal symptoms (like shaking, sweating, or feeling anxious until you have your first drink of the day). Without proper help, it can be dangerous to stop drinking too quickly. Check out your local alcohol support services for more information.
Family health insurance
Covering you and your loved ones
Related articles
