- Two thirds (66%) of Scottish drinkers feel their country has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol which lowers to 63% in Northern Ireland, 56% in England and 38% in Wales.
- But only one in ten Scottish drinkers (10%) feel they personally have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
- Concern in Scotland is most likely to be for a friend’s drinking, with 36% of those with a concern indicating it relates to a friend, rising to 48% among men.
Two thirds of adult drinkers in Scotland (66%) feel that their country has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol according to the Drinkaware Annual Monitor, published today (Thursday 30 November).
The figure lowers to 63% in Northern Ireland, 56% in England and 38% in Wales.
While many Scottish drinkers believe their country as a whole has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, when asked about their own or, family and friends, only one in ten felt it was unhealthy (10% & 10%).
The Drinkaware Monitor 2023 is the annual ‘state of the nation’ survey conducted for Drinkaware by YouGov, that provides an insight into the drinking habits of the UK. This year’s Monitor looked at how we talk about alcohol and have honest conversations.
The Monitor asked 10,473 people from across the UK about their perceptions, and those surveyed highlighted their concerns about how alcohol is seen in society.
Karen Tyrell, Chief Executive of the charity Drinkaware said: “Our research shows the difference between perception and reality when it comes to our relationship with alcohol. Most people think the country has a drinking problem, but it is not them, it is someone else.
“We need to be more open and honest about our own relationship with alcohol and talk more about our drinking habits. We can learn from the change we’ve seen in how we talk about mental health, and make people feel more comfortable talking about their drinking.
“One way to understand more about your drinking habits is by doing the Drinkaware Drinking Check. This short quiz is a quick and easy way to find out if you’re putting your health at risk and is a great way to encourage a conversation.”
The report found that two thirds of (65%) Scottish adults do not think our society is understanding of people with drinking problems, the highest across the nations.
When it comes to Scottish people who are concerned about someone else’s drinking, under one in five (16%) haven’t done anything specific, 56% have spoken to them about it, 42% have made a comment about it to them, and 26% have encouraged them to seek help or treatment.
Having a conversation is more effective in helping people take action about their own drinking, rather than making a comment. Across the UK, only 32% of cases resulted in action when a comment was made, compared to 44% when a conversation was initiated.
The Monitor focus groups revealed that conversations can have an impact on an individual’s drinking, but this can take time and often happens after several conversations. Their effectiveness depends on the drinker’s openness to the issues with their drinking.
The Monitor is the only UK-wide nationally representative survey that dives into peoples’ drinking habits and behaviour. Looking at Scotland specifically, it also found:
- Those drinking at home alone in Scotland at least once a week is down from 23% in 2021 to 20% in 2023.
- Only 25% of Scottish adults would feel very comfortable having a conversation with family and 21% with friends about their drinking, compared to 35% with a partner or spouse.
- Women feel most uncomfortable about having this conversation, with a third (30%) not very comfortable or not comfortable at all starting a conversation about a friend’s drinking (vs. 23% of men).
- Wine is the most commonly consumed drink among Scottish drinkers, with approximately three in ten Scottish drinkers always or often drink it (31%), then beer and spirits are tied second (29%) when drinking.
- Pubs in rural Scottish areas are more likely to get support from their local community than those living in urban areas (19% vs 12% in urban areas).
People can learn more about their drinking habits and get free tips and advice by doing the Drinkaware Drinking Check.
This short quiz helps you find out if your drinking is putting your health at serious risk, visit www.drinkaware.co.uk
A full copy of The Monitor 2023 report is available to download for free at:
https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/monitor23
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