The Department of Health (DH) has published the results of a survey into the drinking habits of more than 2,000 English adults.
The survey found that 22% of respondents have drunk more alcohol than they planned because of peer pressure. 39% stated that they made up an excuse or lied to avoid another drink.
However, the survey also noted that these steps may be unnecessary because the survey also found that:
- Only 1% of respondents think less of people who refuse a drink or choose to drink less than them
- Just 4% expect their friends to keep up with them when drinking
- Only 2% admit to piling on the pressure for friends to drink more when they don’t want to
The DH has also issued the following advice to those wanting to drink less:
- Take it a day at a time: try and cut back a little every day. Each day you cut back is a success
- Make it a smaller one: you can still enjoy a drink but have less. Try bottled beer instead of a pint or a small glass of wine instead of a large
- Have a lower strength drink: manage how much you drink by swapping a strong strength beer or wine for one with a lower ABV [Alcohol By Volume]
- Take a break: have the odd day here and there when you don’t have a drink
Action: Clinicians may find this information useful when advising patients on strategies to reduce alcohol consumption. The results of this survey indicate that peer pressure to drink is more of an internal pressure than an external one.