Adults cite stress as excuse to drink
The average adult cites a bad or stressful day as an excuse to consume up to four drinks on a typical evening at home, according to new research by alcohol education charity Drinkaware.
The statistics show that people are much more inclined to drink in response to a negative experience, such as a stressful day (65%) or a bad day at work (53%), than as a result of having a great day (15%) or good day at work (17%).
While stress is cited by both sexes as the primary reason to have a drink at the end of the day, the data highlights that more women (73%) than men (57%) list this as their top excuse.
Nearly three quarters (72%) of women say they will pour themselves a glass of wine to relax, while 60% of them report that they will have two or more large glasses of wine on a typical night — more than double the recommended daily unit guidelines for women.
Two thirds of men (64%) say they drink at least two pints of beer (4 units) on an average evening at home.
Drinkaware's research shows that adults are regularly exceeding their recommended daily guidelines, often without realising it, from the comfort of their own sofa.
"When it comes to drinking alcohol, the way the human brain works means we are naturally disposed to find a reason to indulge, particularly if we've had a tough day," said Donna Dawson, a psychologist specialising in personality and behaviour.
"An example of this is having a drink or two at home after work as a way to unwind from stress — in this scenario, the brain has decided that stress is 'bad' for us, and that alcohol, because it apparently relieves stress, 'is good'."
Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of Drinkaware, added: "Back in the comfort of your own home, after a hard day at the office, it's easy to drink more than you intended without realising it.
"Whether it's pouring large measures or simply going back to the fridge, the temptation is there.
"This isn't about abstinence. It's about understanding how much is too much, and how much alcohol can affect your body."
