The role of alcohol in UK culture, and how to break free

What’s included?

1. Introduction
2. Why do people drink so much alcohol in the UK?
3. Do boomers drink more alcohol than Gen Z?
4. How can I break free from UK drinking culture?
5. How Delamere can help you break free from alcohol

Feeling sad? Have a drink. Celebrating something? Have a drink. Football on? Have a drink. Alcohol is so engrained in our culture in the UK it’s almost impossible to escape it.

Whether it’s after work drinks or family gatherings, the UK is a tricky place to be when you’re trying to stop drinking.

Let’s take a look at the role alcohol plays in British culture and explore some strategies you can use to protect your sobriety.

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Why do people drink so much alcohol in the UK?

According to Alcohol Change UK, around 80% of adults drink alcohol in the UK and it’s estimated they consume on average 21 units per week¹. That’s the equivalent to drinking around ten pints of beer or ten glasses of wine. 

We all know this is way above the recommended limit. It’s expensive, energy-zapping and bad for our health. So, why as a culture do we still drink so much? 

The UK drinking culture

People drink for all sorts of reasons – confidence, peer pressure, relaxation, habit – but there’s something that makes Brits drink more than their European counterparts. 

The great British pub has a lot to do with it. Pubs have been community hubs for centuries. We visit them after work, take our families for Sunday lunch and even set our soap operas in them. Aviva revealed 46% of Brits who drink do so in a pub.  

Growing up with pub culture means we’ve been surrounded by drinking all our lives. And that ties into the number one reason for imbibing: socialising. Alcohol is often seen as a crucial part of any social event, making it difficult to avoid for teetotallers.

People, places and environments lead us to drink

The UK drinking culture thrives on who you’re with, where you are and the reason you’re drinking. 

We’re a country rooted in tradition. We wet the baby’s head, toast the bride and groom and drink to absent friends. You’re never far away from a celebration or commiseration that centres around alcohol. 

The UK’s social drinking problem is also fuelled by sports. Every match and major tournament presents a reason to sink a few. All these social ‘norms’ make it incredibly difficult for someone in recovery. 

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Do boomers drink more alcohol than Gen Z? 

Drinking habits are also influenced by the generation that shaped us. People over fifty are more likely to consume a higher amount of alcohol than those in their twenties. Which is all down to their specific influences and life experience. 

Boozy boomers

British boomers were teenagers in the sixties – a period where alcohol was normalised. Now in the later stages of life, with more money and time on their hands, alcohol is a familiar habit that’s hard to break.

Experimental Gen X

This group’s purchasing power means they’ve developed a taste for fine wines and classic spirits. Conversely, they also have the means to invest in emerging alcohol-free alternatives. 

A growing interest in health and wellness is fuelling the popularity of drinking in moderation and “zebra-striping”, where Gen Xers alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. 

Sober curious Gen Z

The flip side to this is Gen Z, who are more likely to take their social cues from health influencers and drink as an occasional treat, rather than a necessity. 

This is partly to do with a shift in their choice of social activities. The ‘sober curious’ may choose a day at a wellness retreat or a gym session over a traditional night out.  

Media savvy Millennials

Millennials, now aged between 28 and 43, are the most active on social media and therefore more likely to be influenced by binge drinking trends and alcohol games. 

The #BORG (Blackout Rage Gallon) challenge on TikTok sees creators consuming vast quantities of alcohol from 1-gallon jugs. 

Whatever the generation, these cultural frameworks have a huge impact on our desire to drink and our ability to resist temptation. 

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How can I break free from UK drinking culture?

Whether you’re overcoming alcohol addiction or just trying to stay sober, there are some things you can build into everyday life to remain social but avoid getting sucked into the UK drinking culture. 

Sign up for sober months

Only 4,000 people signed up for Dry January when it launched in 2013. Now, several million plan to do it every year. The same can be said for Sober October. 

These events give you a safe way to be sociable while sticking to soft drinks. They’ve also paved the way for pubs to stock more alcohol-free options which is inspiring people to make non-drinking a longer-term plan rather than a one-off challenge. 

Join clubs that prioritise health

You’d never think of having a drink halfway up a mountain or on a treadmill. Pick hobbies and activities that focus on improving your health and don’t, or can’t, involve alcohol. 

Hiking, running, art classes, gym sessions, cooking courses, gardening, photography are all good for your mind and body without involving a drop of alcohol. 

Find sober groups on social media

Spending too much time doom scrolling can fuel your desire to drink. Use that time positively by seeking out sober groups. With Christmas coming up there are lots of sober event groups on Facebook planning festive parties that don’t revolve around booze.

Surround yourself with sober people

We all have friends that encourage us to drink more than we should. Without walking away, you can choose to spend more time around people who drink in moderation.  

Limit your time with people who lead you astray and focus more on friends who would rather go on a dog walk than spend all afternoon in a pub. 

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How Delamere can help you break free from alcohol

Our stunning wellness retreat beside Delamere Forest provides the perfect backdrop to your sober journey. 

It’s a wonderful place to switch off from the pressures of daily life and break away from the cycle of drinking culture in the UK. 

Here, you will undergo a complete alcohol detox, learn how to overcome your triggers and reset your brain and body.

We offer a one-to-one counselling and group therapy sessions complemented by the latest holistic therapies to help you break free from alcohol for good. 

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References

¹NHS Digital (2024); Health survey Northern Ireland: first results 2022/23; The Scottish Health Survey 2022 – volume 1: main report

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